Retrospective application
for the installation of 6 timber bases and associated works for the siting of
safari tents in place of 6 touring caravans pitches permitted under planning
permission reference C13/0873/44/LL.
Local Member: Councillor E. Selwyn Griffiths
Minutes:
Retrospective application
for the installation of 6 timber bases and associated works for the siting of
six safari tents in place of six touring caravans pitches permitted under
planning permission reference C13/0873/44/LL
(a) The Development Control Officer expanded on the
application’s background and noted that this was a full retrospective
application for the installation of six timber bases and associated works for
the siting of six safari tents in place of six touring caravan pitches
permitted under planning permission reference C13/0873/44/LL. It was
added that the tents would extend the holiday park’s range of services.
(b) It was noted that some of the site would be visible
from dwellings closest to the site, especially during the winter months bearing
in mind that the trees would shed their leaves. However, if the application was approved the visual
impact could be reduced by ensuring that the occupancy / siting period of the
touring caravans on the site was restricted to holiday use between 1st
March and 31st October in any given year, and the tents and timber
bases were removed from the site outside this period. It was
deemed that with relevant conditions to manage the season and landscaping and
planting plan that had already been implemented, that the proposal to use the
site for this purpose would not cause any unacceptable impact. It was added that the location, design, finish and
form of the development was acceptable and that the tents were in keeping with
the location.
Attention was drawn to
the additional observations that had been received.
(c) Taking advantage of the right to speak, the agent
representing the applicant made the following observations:
·
That he agreed
with the officers’ report.
·
The tents would
increase the variety and the types of services that the holiday park had to
offer.
·
That the work to
alleviate the landscape had been implemented to a high standard.
·
Removing the
timber bases was an unnecessary intervention and therefore there was a request
to alter the condition as it was necessary to construct new bases every year.
(ch) The
local member (not a member of this Planning Committee) made the following main
points:
·
That there had
been a change to the original proposal.
·
The park had
refused to listen to the advice that permission was required for change of use.
·
The tents
remained on site although the occupation period/holiday season had ended.
·
The company
continually breached minor rules.
·
It should be
ensured that there were tight regulations regarding the existence of the six
tents only.
·
If the condition
states that the timber bases have to be removed then it should be ensured that
the company adhere to this.
(d) It was proposed and seconded to approve the
application in accordance with the recommendation.
The Development Control
Manager noted that discussions had taken place to remove the canvas and frames
only, however, this would entail that the platform that was part of the
structure would remain in place. It was noted that the removal of timber bases at
similar developments outside the occupation period / holiday season was
operational across the County and it would be a dangerous precedent to allow
these timber bases to remain in place.
(dd) During the discussion, the
following observation was made:
·
That consistency
had to be ensured.
RESOLVED
to approve.
Conditions
1.
Development in accordance with the plans.
2.
Tent colour.
3.
Condition restricting staying time / holiday season (1
March – 31 October), and ensure that the tents and timber bases are moved away
from the site outside that period.
4.
Holiday only condition
5.
Condition controlling the number of units on the site
in its entirety.
6.
Total of only six tents to be
sited on the pitches shown.
Supporting documents: