Agenda item
Replacing 32 touring caravan pitches with 25 holiday lodges for year round holiday use.
LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Cemlyn Williams
Minutes:
Replace 32 touring caravan
pitches with 25 holiday lodges for year round holiday use.
(a)
The Planning Manager elaborated on the
background to the application, and noted that the proposal involved locating 25
holiday units within a concealed site and within the built environment and it
was considered that this proposal would not lead to an over-concentration of
similar static caravan/chalet sites in the vicinity of the application and
that, in itself, it would not have a substantial and significant impact on the
character and amenities of the local landscape. It was explained
that the proposal would reduce the density of the use of the current site, by
replacing 32 touring caravans.
Given its concealed
location within the townscape; its scale which was less dense
than the current use and the fact that it appeared that the holiday
accommodation and the overall site would provide high quality facilities, the
proposal was acceptable.
It was revealed that there
were flooding issues on parts of the site, and that
the applicant had moved the chalets from the part that suffered flooding, and
that there was no access within the flood zone. It was noted
that Natural Resources Wales was satisfied with the proposal.
The development was
acceptable in terms of relevant local and national policies for the reasons
noted in the report.
(b)
It was proposed and seconded to
approve the application.
During the ensuing discussion, the following main observations were noted by members:
·
There
were many static unit sites in the area, and the number of static units in the
area was way above the threshold of over-concentration. Of the opinion that
converting a static caravan site into a permanent static units site was a step
too far;
·
With
regard to the Tourism Unit's concern regarding the overprovision of static
units and the lack of touring sites in the Caernarfon area, what assessment had been made? The number of touring caravan sites in the
area needed to be protected;
·
The
proposal would mean less transport, and would not be visible from anywhere;
·
The
development was better than the existing development. Would the applicant sell
or let the chalets?
·
The
proposal would be an improvement to the site, with a reduction in the number of
units. The Town Council did not object the proposal,
it was not possible to restrict the use of the site to 11 months in accordance
with their wish, but imposing a holiday use condition only/keeping a register
would ensure that the chalets would not be occupied as permanent homes.
(c) In response to the above
observations, the officers noted:
·
In the context of Policy TWR 3 of the JLDP, over-concentration was assessed in terms of the capacity of the local landscape
for additional holiday chalet or caravan developments. The development would
not be visible in the landscape;
·
That the Tourism Unit's wish was to have more touring sites. That there
were touring sites in the area and there was potential in the landscape for new
touring sites. The proposal did not undermine any planning policies;
·
The Anglesey, Gwynedd and Snowdonia National Park Capacity and
Sensitivity Study - (Gillespies, 2014), noted that
there was capacity for small developments;
·
The applicant's intention to sell or let the chalets was unknown, but
there was no requirement to receive this confirmation.
RESOLVED to approve the application.
Conditions:
1.
Time
(five years)
2.
In
accordance with the plans
3. Submit and agree a detailed Environmental Construction
Method Statement for the period of developing the site.
4.
Must
adhere closely to the submitted Ecological Survey recommendations
5.
Condition
of holiday use only/keep a register
6.
Welsh
Water Condition
7.
A
lighting plan must be submitted
Notes
1.
Welsh Water
2.
Natural Resources Wales
Supporting documents: