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Agenda item

18/11739/FUL: The Paddock ,Hook, nr Royal Wooton Bassett Wiltshire SN4 8EA - Change of use of land to a residential caravan site consisting of 4 pitches each containing 1 mobile home, 1 touring caravan, 1 semi-detached utility building, car parking, access and children's play area.

A report by the Case Officer is attached.

Minutes:

The Committee received a presentation from the Head of Development Management which set out the main issues in respect of the application. The purpose of the report was to assess the merits of the proposal against the policies of the development plan and other material considerations and to consider the recommendation that the application be approved subject to conditions.

 

Members then had the opportunity to ask technical questions after which they heard statements from members of the public as follows:-

 

Mr Mark Fisher, a local resident, who spoke against the proposal.

Mr Mike Drury, a local resident, who spoke against the proposal.

Mr Paul Wrathall, a local resident, who spoke against the proposal.

Cllr Robert Collis, Chairman of Lydiard Tregoze Parish Council, spoke against the proposal.

 

Members then heard the views of Cllr Mollie Groom, the local Member, who stated her objections to the application on account of the likely increase in size and volume of traffic on the road network, the potential for the flooding of adjacent gardens and the infringement of the human rights of the nearby neighbours.

 

In response, the Head of Development Planning informed the Committee that there was a 30mph speed limit on the road network and there had been no objections to the proposal received from the Highway Authority.  He also stated that regarding drainage, a technical report had been received and no objections had been raised by Wessex Water.

 

During discussion, Members expressed concern at the wording of Core Policy 47 – Meeting the Needs of Gypsies and Travellers and considered that the Policy should be reviewed so that such planning applications could be considered in a similar way as when examining other applications.

 

After further discussion, on the proposal of Cllr Tony Trotman, which was seconded by Cllr Christopher Newbury,

 

Resolved:

 

To refuse planning permission for the following reasons:-

 

Proposals for new gypsy and traveller pitches are assessed against the criteria set out for such sites in policy CP47 of the Wiltshire Core Strategy. In this case, the proposal does not satisfy the following criteria in CP47:

vi) The proposed development of the site for the four pitches would have an unacceptable impact on the character and appearance of the landscape, harming the appearance of the countryside by the introduction of this urbanising development extending into the rural landscape. The development would also have an unacceptable impact on the amenity of neighbouring properties, due to the increased level of disturbance through the use of the access and the proximity of the development to nearby residential properties.

viii) The development of the site for gypsy and traveller pitches is inappropriate in this location to the character of its surroundings, where the village is characterised by traditionally built permanent housing.

For the reasons set out in relation to vi) above, the development is also considered to conflict with Wiltshire Core Strategy policy CP57 (vii), due to the adverse impact on the amenities of neighbouring properties

 

 

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INFORMATIVE TO APPLICANT:

The Council, in its latest Five Year Land Supply Statement for Gypsy and Traveller Sites, published in August 2019, can demonstrate a supply of 12.3 years as at 1st January 2018 in the Housing Market Area within which this site is located (with further sites granted planning permission since then).

 

 

Supporting documents: