Agenda item

Application for the change of use of land to provide a 19 unit touring caravan site together with the provision of a toilet and shower block, track and play area.

LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Anwen J Davies

Link to relevant background documents

To defer in order to hold further discussions with the applicant

Application for the change the use of land into a touring caravan site for 19 units, including the provision of a toilets and shower building, track and play area within the site.

Attention was drawn to the late observations form.

a)    The Planning Manager highlighted that this was a full application to develop a new touring caravan site. The proposal involved using an agricultural field for the siting of 19 touring caravans, toilet building, improving the existing access and landscaping work along the existing clawdd/hedge. The field where it was proposed to locate the touring caravans was described as fairly flat and the units would be located along the site's north-eastern and south-western boundaries. It was explained that the principle of creating a touring caravan site was based on Policy TWR5 of the LDP and such developments would be permitted if they can conform to relevant criteria.

It was noted that the plan indicated that it was intended to locate the touring units along the north eastern and south eastern boundaries of a field where trees and hedgerows currently exist; it was realised that this vegetation would create a screen to reduce the impact of the proposal on the landscape, however, such vegetation was not a permanent feature and the treatment, felling or cutting of which would create a very prominent site from the nearby county highway that would substantially affect the landscape. It was realised that the applicant had stated a willingness to thicken and strengthen the existing hedgerows through additional planting. However, it was considered that this would not create sufficient or permanent measures to meet with the aims of the policy.

Following the receipt of initial observations from the Biodiversity Unit, a preliminary ecological assessment was received. It was highlighted that the Biodiversity Unit had provided further observations confirming the need for a full ecological assessment due to the cumulative impact of other developments on the site and the recent ground levelling work. The ecological report did not respond to the Council's concerns regarding the impact on trees and did not justify the development under policy AMG 6 to protect wildlife sites.

Based on the assessment and the late observations of the Biodiversity Unit, it was considered that the proposal was contrary to the policies of the Local Development Plan due to the visual impact of the development, lack of information to assess the impact on biodiversity and trees and justification to develop a wildlife site.

b)    Taking advantage of the right to speak, the applicant’s agent noted the following points:

·         The applicant was originally from Staffordshire and had moved to Wales in December 2020, following purchasing Gefail y Bont. As a family they had spent many years holidaying in north Wales and had made the decision to move here permanently.

·         The development of the site would involve employing local contractors to build a toilet and shower block together with planting trees, erecting fencing and building new stone walls on the site. 

·         The development, if approved, would employ 3 full-time local staff members for cleaning, maintenance and booking in.

·         The site was in an ideal location for the 2023 National Eisteddfod. 

·         The site was set in a great location, ideal for families to spend time wildlife spotting in the woods or just burning off energy running around the site.

·         The site was not too far from local beaches. It was close to local pubs, restaurants and cafes. 

·         The site was well shielded by the existing mature hedgerow adjacent to the highway which would be maintained to a minimum height of 10 foot 

·         There were only a few touring caravan sites within this area.

·         There was easy access to Nefyn, Pwllheli, Cricieth and Porthmadog.

·         A great location for the Abersoch, Nefyn, Caernarfon, Chwilog cycling routes and the Llŷn Peninsula coastal walks

·         The site benefited from being in a location away from any residential dwellings and would not cause a nuisance to any residents

·         The site was in an ideal location to visit and support local attractions and businesses such as; Glasfryn Park, Eryri Adventure Park, Dragon Raiders Activity Park, the Rabbit Farm, the village of Portmeirion as well as castles, beaches and fishing lakes. It would support local economies.

·         The site was located just off the A497, therefore it was easily accessible and visibility from the site onto the highway was excellent.  Works to the new bridge construction and new road alignment would further benefit the site

·         The ancillary building could be cladded in wooden waney edge boarding rather than grey composite cladding

·         A Preliminary Ecological Assessment was carried out by Cambrian Ecology on 24/09/21. This was forwarded to Gwynedd Council on 05/10/21 - and a confirmation email was received. 

c)    It was proposed and seconded to defer the application.

d)    During the ensuing discussion, the following observations were made by members:

·         There was a need to give the application more consideration - hold further discussions with the applicant to see if it was possible to resolve some of the reasons for refusal.

·         The site was not intrusive, it was not open and there were no visual matters.

·         Having seen the site from the road, the reasons for refusal were vague 

RESOLVED to defer in order to hold further discussions with the applicant