Create
a touring caravan site for 11 touring units together with siting of a toilet
block and landscaping
LOCAL
MEMBER: Councillor John Pughe Roberts
Link
to relevant background documents
Decision:
DECISION – To
approve subject to conditions
1.
Five years.
2.
In accordance
with the revised plans and specialist reports.
3.
Restrict the
numbers to 11 touring units
4.
Holiday season /
siting
5.
Restrict the
units to holiday use.
6.
No touring units
to be stored on the site
7.
Biodiversity
8.
Restrict to the
holiday season.
9.
A register to be
kept.
10.
No tree felling,
hedge cutting or clearing of vegetation within the nesting season.
11.
Agree/control
lighting.
12.
Agree details of
the clawdd.
13.
Agree details of
washing facilities unit prior to being sited on the site
14.
Landscaping
15.
Landscape
maintenance
16.
Submit a
Biodiversity Improvement Plan
17. No ground clearance during the reptile hibernation season in the winter
Contaminated Land
Note
Minutes:
a)
The Planning Manager elaborated on the background of
the application, noting that this was a full application to create a touring
caravan site for 11 touring units together with siting
a shepherd's hut as a washing facility.
It was explained that the principle to establish the touring
caravan site was based on Policy TWR5 of the LDP and such developments would be
permitted if they can conform to relevant criteria. It was noted that
the site was located in a field with the lie of the land and existing
landscaping on the boundaries, creating a site that was fairly hidden. In terms
of visual amenities, it was considered that the
proposal had no detrimental impact on the rural character and atmosphere of the
local landscape, which was designated as a Special Landscape Area.
In the context of
general and residential amenities, it was considered
that the proposed use would not generate substantially more noise and
disturbance than the existing circumstances bearing in mind that the site
location was near a busy Trunk Road and the Corris
Craft Centre. The observations of the Transportation Unit and the Welsh
Government's Trunk Road Unit confirmed that they had no objection to the
revised plan.
In the context of
biodiversity matters, it was considered that the
proposal involved the use of reclaimed land and the land had no current use.
Reference was made to the tree report stating that the
development had been designed carefully in order to retain the existing screen
around the site with the intention of improving this screen with additional
planting along the boundaries.
It was highlighted that the Biodiversity
Unit had no objection to this proposal provided that
measures were taken to avoid damage to species and that the site was managed to
create a wild flower meadow. It was noted that
mitigation measures had been outlined in the ecological report.
b)
Taking advantage of the
right to speak, the applicant’s agent noted the following points:-
·
Corris
Craft Centre was a long standing tourist attraction
·
The application in question was an opportunity for
diversification of a small facility for 11 touring units and to ensure the
viability and secure the future of the craft centre
·
The applicant had received several requests for such a
provision. The facility would allow
visitors to the centre to stay on for a few days to enjoy what the centre has
to offer, as well as the surrounding area.
·
That it was proposed to retain the trees along the
boundary and to create an additional screen
·
It was an opportunity to create an additional source
of income, to secure employment and a resource that was needed in the area -
that would contribute to the local economy and would be a means of supporting
other local businesses
·
They had collaborated closely with the Planning
Department; and had used the response to the consultation period observations
to ensure a suitable design and plan
c) Taking
advantage of the right to speak, the Local Member made the following points:-
·
He was supportive of the application.
·
There was a demand for this type of facility in the area
·
That it would create additional income for the Craft
Centre
·
It was an opportunity for the business to diversify
ch) It was proposed and seconded to approve
the application
d) During
the ensuing discussion, the following observations were made by members:
· The
facility may prevent people from using the parking lay-bys for overnight
parking
· Welcomed the use of a screen and additional
landscaping to ensure that it was not intrusive and visible in the landscape
for village residents
· That one shower and one toilet was not a
sufficient facility for the site
· That approving a site for touring units
would add to congestion in the area - there was no need for more sites - need
to re-visit the policies
· Holiday restriction - holidays were now
taken throughout the year
(dd) In response to a comment
regarding the number of toilets and showers, it was highlighted that it was the
responsibility of the Licensing Unit to determine if the provision was
insufficient.
RESOLVED:
to approve the application subject to the following conditions:
1. Five
years.
2. In
accordance with the revised plans and specialist reports.
3. Limit
the numbers to 11 touring units
4. Holiday
season / siting
5. Restrict
the units for holiday use.
6. No
touring units to be stored on the site
7. Biodiversity
8. Restrict
to the holiday season.
9. A
register to be maintained.
10. No tree felling, hedge cutting or clearing of vegetation within
the nesting season.
11. Agree/control
lighting.
12. Agree
details of the 'clawdd'.
13. Agree
details of washing facilities unit prior to being sited
on the site
14. Landscaping
15. Landscape
maintenance
16. Provide
a Biodiversity Improvement Plan
17. No ground clearance during the reptile winter hibernation season
Contaminated Land Note
Supporting documents: