5 Application No. C17/0967/39/LL - Land at Tyn y Cae, Llangian, Pwllheli PDF 270 KB
Creation of site for 12 safari tents
LOCAL MEMBER:
Councillor John Brynmor Hughes
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Creation of site
for 12 safari tents
(a) The
Development Control Officer elaborated on the background of the application,
noting that the application had been deferred at the Committee meeting held on
19 March 2018 in order to hold a site visit. Some members had visited the site
prior to the meeting.
Attention
was drawn to the proposal along with the considerations and responses to the
public consultation within the report, and no late information was received in
this case.
In
assessing the application, the main consideration was policy TWR5 of the Local
Development Plan which requested that camping sites be of high quality in terms
of design, layout and appearance, and that they be sited in an unobtrusive location
which was well screened by existing landscape features. Attention was drawn to
the fact that the tents were of a significant size and were larger with the
timber platform. From the site visit, it could be seen that the site was in
open countryside and within the sensitive landscape of the AONB. Although the application contained proposed
landscaping, it was considered that it was currently not screened well. It was
not agreed with the visual impact assessment report submitted with the
application which alleged that the impact of the proposal was limited. It was noted that the site could be seen
clearly from the adjacent road, from the nearby public footpath and that there
would be views of the tents across the AONB. Although it was not contrary to
all the requirements of Policy TWR5, it did not meet with the policy's main
aims which required that sites be unobtrusive in the landscape. Also, it was
noted that the proposal was contrary to policy AMG1 and that the AONB Officer
was concerned about the development's disturbance on the rural location.
Although there was a connection with the Grade II listed building, it was not
considered that it could be refused on this basis.
Although
transportation and biodiversity matters were acceptable, the planning officers
recommended to refuse it because it was contrary to policies TWR5, PS19 and
AMG1 as it would create an obtrusive feature in the landscape and would have an
unacceptable impact on the AONB.
(b) The
Local Member (not a Member of this Planning Committee) supported the
application, and he made the following main points:
·
That safari tents were the subject of the
application and they would be dismantled at the end of the holiday season
·
Attention was drawn to the fact that there was one
up on the site and that the canvas colour was in keeping with the background
·
That the application was a different new venture
·
Looking from the road, rows of caravans could be
seen in the AONB and the tents would be in keeping with the landscape
·
In terms of biodiversity, the applicant had spent a
great deal to landscape professionally with trees that would be suitable for
the area
· The landscaping would be carried out in autumn this year, and it was ... view the full minutes text for item 5
9 Application No C17/0967/39/LL - Land at Tyn y Cae, Llangian, Pwllheli, Gwynedd, PDF 268 KB
Creation of site for 12 safari tents
LOCAL MEMBER:
Councillor John Brynmor Hughes
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Creation of site
for 12 safari tents
Attention was
drawn to the late observations form and the additional objection.
(a)
The Development Control Team Leader
elaborated on the background of the application, noting that this was an
application to set up a site to place 12 safari tents, 12 wet-room pods next to
each safari tents, and to create footpaths, barbecue areas and a children's
play area. It was noted that this was a site in open
countryside which abutted a class three county road from Llanengan
to Llangïan and which was within the Llŷn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty designation,
and within the Landscape of Outstanding Historical Interest.
It was highlighted that Policy TWR 5
of the Local Development Plan permitted proposals for touring or camping sites,
or alternative temporary camping accommodation sites provided they would comply
with all the criteria noted in the report. It was explained that this would
mean that the proposed development was of high quality in terms of design,
layout and appearance, and was sited in an unobtrusive location which was well
screened by existing landscape features and/or where touring units could be
readily assimilated into the landscape in a way which would not significantly
harm the visual quality of the landscape.
It was noted that the tents would
mainly be sited around the boundaries of the field and the wet-room pods would
be installed next to each tent. The applicant confirmed that the safari tents
and their foundations, along with the wet-room pods, would be removed from the
site outside the operating season.
Consequently, the proposal was considered under policy TWR 5, which
involved touring caravan and camping sites, and alternative temporary camping
accommodation.
Attention was drawn to the fact that
the visual and landscape impact assessment had also referred to LANDMAP
assessments in the area (especially the visual and sensory reports) which had
come to the conclusion that the landscape's value was moderate. Although the landscape's value was moderate,
it was expressed that the assessment also noted that it was a small, enclosed,
rural valley with some buildings detracting from the attraction, specifically
the build-up form on the outskirts of Abersoch. The
further recommendations in the LANDMAP assessment stated that caravan
developments within the valley should be restricted in the long-term. In addition, as part of the visual and
landscape impact assessment submitted as part of the application, photographs
were submitted showing the site from various places where it would be visual
from the landscape and across the AONB. It was argued that the site would
continue to be visual from these places even when the proposed landscape
matures.
The Planning Department were not convinced
that the site complied with the principles of policy TWR 5. It was considered
that the proposal would be an obtrusive feature within the landscape and would
cause substantial harm to the visible quality of the landscape which had an
AONB designation.
b) Taking advantage of the right to speak, the applicant’s agent noted the ... view the full minutes text for item 9