Agenda item

Richard Campbell and Bob Alderman spoke in objection to the application.

Margaret Carey, Box Parish Council, spoke in objection to the application.

The officer introduced the report which recommended that planning permission be granted subject to conditions, as amended by the late observations. Aerial photographs of the site and floor plans were shown; it was explained that development for outdoor sport and recreation was permitted in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and greenbelt area. An amendment to condition 2 suggested in the late observations was explained.

The Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions and it was confirmed the shelters onsite would be mobile.

Members of the public then addressed the Committee as detailed above.

Following statements from members of the public, the planning officer confirmed the reasons for the number of horses per hectare and that the planning authority was required to allow 3 months for the removal of a mobile home already on site.

The local member, Cllr Sheila Parker, expressed concern over the entrance of traffic to the site via the narrow lane and the flood risk to Great crested newts.

In the debate that followed the Committee expressed disappointment in the applicant’s current management of the site however noted the application had to be considered on its merits. Advice given by the legal officer and planning officer allowed members to come to a majority decision to accept the officer’s recommendation’

To GRANT planning permission subject to the following conditions:

1.     There shall be no more than 10 horses kept on site at anyone time, including foals at foot.

REASON: To prevent over grazing of teh land to the detriment of the landscape quality of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

2.     Within 3 months of the date of this permission, the hard standing, access, the mobile home (including any fixtures and ancillary pipe work), horse trailers or buildings and any other trailers or buildings not shown on the approved plans together with the 2 containers on site shall be fully removed from the site.

REASON: To protect the amenity and landscape quality of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Green Belt

3.     No fences or jumps shall be erected on the site without the prior approval in writing of the Local Planning Authority.

REASON: In order to protect the living conditions of nearby residents and/or the rural character of the area.

4.     Within 2 months of the date of this permission details for the storage of manure and soiled bedding (including the location of such storage) and its disposal from site (including frequency) have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Before the development is first brought into use, the works for such storage and disposal shall be completed in accordance with the approved details and shall subsequently be maintained in accordance with the approved details. No storage of manure and soiled bedding shall take place outside of the storage area approved under this condition.

REASON: In the interests of public health and safety, in order to protect the natural environment and prevent pollution.

5.     The development hereby permitted shall only be used for the private stabling of horses and the storage of associated equipment and feed and shall at no time be used for any commercial purpose whatsoever, including for livery, or in connection with equestrian tuition or leisure rides.

REASON: In the interests of highway safety and/or to protect the living conditions of nearby residents.

6.     There shall be no parking of horse boxes, caravans, trailers or other vehicles during the hours between dusk and dawn on the site.

REASON: In order to protect the living conditions of nearby residents and/or the rural character of the area.

7.     No portable buildings, van bodies, trailers, vehicles or other structures used for storage, shelter, rest or refreshment, shall be stationed on the site without the prior approval in writing of the Local Planning Authority.

REASON: In order to protect the living conditions of nearby residents and/or the rural character of the area.

8.     The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: Drwgs PL05A; PL03A dated 4th December 2014 and Drwg PL02PL06 dated 6th October 2014.

REASON: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.

9.     No external lighting shall be installed on the site until plans showing the position, luminance and type of light appliance have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The approved lighting shall be installed and shall be maintained in accordance with the approved details and no additional external lighting shall be installed.

REASON: In the interests of the amenity of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Green Belt.

10.Within 2 months of the date of this permission a scheme for the grassland management of the land hereby granted for the keeping of horses shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The approved grassland management plan shall be fully implemented and maintained thereafter.

REASON: In the interests of the visual amenity of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Green Belt.