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Agenda item

Replacing 32 touring caravan pitches with 25 holiday lodges for year round holiday use.

 

LOCAL MEMBER:    Councillor Cemlyn Williams

 

Link to relevant background documents

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: