Change
of use of land for the siting of 42 touring caravans together with the
formation of associated access roads, landscaping and the erection of a toilet
block
LOCAL
MEMBER: Councillor Stephen Churchman
Link
to relevant background documents
Decision:
DECISION:
To delegate powers to the Assistant Head of the Environment Department
to approve the application, subject to the following conditions:-
1.
Time
2.
In
accordance with the plans.
3.
Holiday
use only and keep a register.
4.
Holiday
season - 1 March to 31 October
5.
Limit
the number of touring units to 92, no tents and retain the same number of
static caravans.
6.
No
storing of touring caravans on the site.
7.
Complete
the landscaping work.
8.
Welsh
Water
9. Agree on the colour of the facilities building.
The timber on the facilities building to be left to weather naturally
Minutes:
Change
of use of land for the siting of 42 touring caravans together with the formation
of associated access road, landscaping and the erection of a toilet block
a)
The Development Control Team Leader elaborated on the background
of the application, noting that this was an application to change the use of
land to site 42 touring caravans and create an associated
access road and erect a toilet block. It was explained
that the site already formed part of the current campsite, which had planning
consent for 13 static caravans, 50 touring caravans and 70 tents. It was reiterated that the proposal sought to site 42
additional touring caravans to replace the consent for 70 tents and that the
site had a certificate of lawful use for tents on another field.
It
was highlighted that policy TWR 5 of the LDP permitted
proposals to develop new touring caravan sites and temporary alternative
camping accommodation provided they conform to all the criteria noted. One of those criteria was that the proposed development was of high
quality in terms of design, layout and appearance and located 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; that the
proposal avoids an excess of hardstanding areas; that it is physically
connected to the ground.
It was noted that although there was no need
to submit a formal Statement/Report, consideration needed to be given to the
Welsh language in accordance with the guidance in Appendix 5 of the
'Maintaining and Creating Distinctive and Sustainable Communities' SPG. In
relation to this, it was noted that the applicant's Welsh
Language Statement noted the following points:
·
Two of the full-time staff members (the applicant's
children) are Welsh speakers.
·
The signs are already bilingual.
·
Bilingual information about attractions, facilities
and local services are already provided within the
site.
·
Local employment opportunities are
provided and local contractors would be used.
It was considered that the design, layout and appearance of the
proposal was acceptable and that it would not cause substantial harm to the
visual quality of the landscape. It was noted that it
was also proposed to build a relatively small building with a timber finish in
order to provide toilets and showers, and that it would not stand out in the
landscape. It was reiterated that the site had direct
access to the county road and that this was acceptable and suitable. The
Transportation Unit did not have any concerns about the proposal and so with
the use of appropriate planning conditions, it was
considered that the proposal was acceptable from the perspective of Policy TWR
5 of the LDP.
b)
Taking advantage of the right to speak, the Local
Member made the following points:
·
That the report was clear
·
That the site had been a family business for years
·
It was a neat site, concealed within the landscape in
the middle of natural trees and other planted trees
·
That the standard of the site was clean and the owners
took pride in the business
·
The business supported the community and the local
economy
·
Due to an increase in touring caravans, the number of
tents would reduce
·
That the application responded to the need for touring
caravan sites
·
That additional screening was a part of the plan -
already planted up to 200 native trees - the owner reviewed the situation
continuously
·
It would have very little impact on neighbours
·
That the access to the site was good
·
No objections had been received during the
consultation period
·
That the proposal was acceptable in the context of the
policy requirements and the Local Development Plan
·
It was a valuable investment for the area
c)
It was proposed and seconded to approve the
application
ch) During the ensuing discussion, the
following observations were made by Members:
·
That the proposal did not really reduce the use - the
need for tent sites was reducing and so the proposal responded to the demand
for touring caravans
·
That the traffic element was bound to increase
·
Tourism sustained people's living in the countryside
·
Need to support local businesses
·
Difficult time for local businesses - the enterprise
needed to be supported
d)
In response to a request for a record of the number of
tents against the number of touring caravans on the site, it was
noted that the information was not required for the needs of Policy TWR
5.
In response to a comment
regarding if the application would be approved and
whether the right to offer space for tents would continue, it was noted that
the site already had permission for tents in another field - there was no
restriction in terms of numbers on this field.
RESOLVED:
To delegate powers to the Assistant Head of the Environment Department
to approve the application, subject to the following conditions:
1. Time
2. In
accordance with the plans.
3. Holiday
use only and keep a register.
4. Holiday
season - 1 March to 31 October
5. Increase
the number of touring units to 92, no tents and retain the same number of
static caravans.
6. No
storing of touring caravans on the site.
7. Complete
the landscaping work.
8. Welsh
Water
9. Agree
the colour of the roof on the facilities building
10. The timber on the facilities building to be left to weather naturally.
Supporting documents: