Agenda item

Mr Tony Phillips, agent, spoke in support of the application.

 

Cllr Geena Chapman, Cricklade Town Council, spoke in objection to the application.

 

The Committee received a presentation by the Case Officer detailing the main issues in respect of the application. It was noted that temporary permission had been granted 2 years ago.  Attention was also drawn to the late observations.

 

Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions after which the Committee received statements from members of the public as detailed above, expressing their views regarding the application.

 

Cllr Peter Colmer, as local Member, questioned the continued need on a permanent basis for these pitches, bearing in that some of them were currently unoccupied and suggested that a further temporary permission be granted in order to allow time for an assessment to be carried out into future needs.

 

After discussion.

 

Resolved:

 

To grant planning permission for the following reason:

 

1. The proposed development is considered to be acceptable based on its scale and nature which will limit impact on the character and amenity of the locality, residential amenities and highway safety and meet an established and identified need for Gypsy site provision in the former North Wiltshire area. The proposal is in accordance with Policy DP15 of the Wiltshire and Swindon Structure Plan 2016, Policies C3 & H9 of the North Wiltshire Local Plan (2011), PPS3 "Housing" and advice contained in Circular 01/2006.

 

Subject to the following conditions:

 

Within two months of the date of this permission, a flood evacuation scheme together with a surface water drainage scheme for the site, based on sustainable drainage principles and include an assessment of the hydrological and hydro-geological context of the development, has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. 

 

The scheme shall also include:

 

i.      Details of how the scheme will contain the 1 in 100 year storm (with a 30% allowance for climate change) whole limiting discharge from the site to Greenfield run-off rates (including supporting calculations);

ii.     A detailed plan of the drainage system; and

iii.    Details of how the scheme shall be maintained and managed after completion

 

The scheme shall subsequently be implemented in accordance with the details approved before the development is completed.

 

REASON: To ensure a safe and dry access to and from the development and prevent the increased risk of flooding, to improve and protect water quality, improve habitat and amenity, and ensure future maintenance of the surface water drainage system.

 

Policy C3

 

2. Within two months of this permission, the access, turning area and parking spaces have been completed in accordance with the details shown on the approved plans. The areas shall be maintained for those purposes at all times thereafter.

 

REASON: In the interests of highway safety. POLICY: C3

 

3. Within two months of the date of this permission a scheme of hard and soft landscaping has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, the details of which shall include:

 

(a) indications of all existing trees and hedgerows on the land;

(b) details of any to be retained, together with measures for their protection in the course of development;

(c) all species, planting sizes and planting densities, spread of all trees and hedgerows within or overhanging the site, in relation to the proposed buildings, roads, and other works;

(d) finished levels and contours;

(e) painted finish to close boarded fence atop the bund.

 

REASON: To ensure a satisfactory landscaped setting for the development and the protection of existing important landscape features.

 

4. Within the first planting and seeding season following the date of this permission; All shrubs, trees and hedge planting shall be maintained free from weeds and shall be protected from damage by vermin and stock. Any trees or plants which, within a period of five years, die, are removed, or become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of a similar size and species, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the local planning authority. All hard landscaping shall also be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

 

REASON: To ensure a satisfactory landscaped setting for the development and the protection of existing important landscape features.

 

5. The site shall not be permanently occupied by persons other than Gypsies and Travellers as defined in paragraph 15 of ODPM Circular 01/2006.

 

REASON: Planning permission has only been granted on the basis of a demonstrated unmet need for accommodation for gypsies and travellers and it is therefore necessary to keep the site available to meet that need.

 

6. There shall be no more than fourteen pitches on that part of the site south of the main access road and north of the A419(T).

 

REASON: In the interests of visual amenity and the amenity of the occupants on the site.

 

7. There shall be no more than twenty eight (28) caravans as defined in the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 and the caravans Sites Act 1968, of which no more than fourteen (14) shall be a static caravan or mobile home and no more than four (14) shall be a touring caravan, shall be stationed on the site at any time.

 

REASON: It is important for the local planning authority to retain control over the number of caravans on the site in order to safeguard interests of visual and residential amenity in accordance with policies C3, NE15 and H9 of the North Wiltshire Local Plan 2011.

 

8. No more than four commercial vehicles shall be kept on the site for use by the occupiers of the caravans hereby permitted and each vehicle shall not exceed 3.5 tonnes in weight.

 

REASON: In the interests of residential amenity, highway safety and the character of the countryside.

 

9. Except for the keeping of commercial vehicles as defined in condition 9 above, no commercial activity or use, including the storage of materials and waste, shall be carried out on the site.

 

REASON: In the interests of residential amenity, highway safety and the character of the countryside.

 

10. Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (as amended by the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (No.2) (England) Order 2008 (or any Order revoking or re-enacting or amending that Order with or without modification), no buildings or structures, or wall, fence or

other means of enclosure, other than those shown on the approved plans, shall be erected or placed anywhere on the site.

 

REASON: To safeguard the character and appearance of the area.

 

11. No part of the development hereby permitted shall be first brought into use until the access, turning area and parking spaces have been completed in accordance with the details shown on the approved plans. The areas shall be maintained for those purposes at all times thereafter.

 

12. The development hereby permitted shall be implemented in accordance with the submitted plans and documents listed below. No variation from the approved plans should be made without the prior approval of the local planning authority. Amendments may require the submission of a further application.

 

Plans 09_257_003 Rev B Dated  31 March 2010.

 

REASON: To ensure that the development is implemented as approved.