Agenda item

Re-submission of a previously refused application with improvements from that as refused for a caravan site to include a toilet block and environmental improvements.

LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor John Brynmor Hughes

Link to relevant background documents

DECISION: To Refuse

Reasons

The proposal involves the creation of a new touring caravan site in open countryside away from the main roads network. It is not considered that the proposed units would easily assimilate to the local landscape and it is not considered to be in an unobtrusive location that is well-concealed by the existing features of the landscape, and it is therefore considered that the development would be harmful to the visual quality of the landscape. The proposal would not add to the maintenance, enhancement or restoration of the recognised character of the Llŷn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and creating a new caravan site some distance from the main public roads network on a busy rural road where there is a high density of holiday sites would have an impact on the features and character of the area. It is therefore considered that the proposal is contrary to the relevant requirements of policies TWR 5 and AMG 1 of the Anglesey and Gwynedd Joint Local Development Plan and the Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG): Tourist Facilities and Accommodation.

Insufficient evidence had been submitted as part of the planning application to demonstrate that full consideration has been given to the loss of the best and most versatile agricultural land. It is therefore considered to be contrary to the requirements of criterion 6 of Policy PS 6 of the Anglesey and Gwynedd Joint Local Development Plan 2011-2026 and the advice provided in paragraphs 3.58 and 3.59 of Planning Policy Wales.

Due to lack of information to fully assess the impact of the new sewerage flow from the proposed development, the proposal is unacceptable based on the requirements of policy ISA1 which notes that proposals are only approved if sufficient infrastructure capacity exists, or when it is provided in a timely manner.

A resubmission with improvements to a previously refused full application for a caravan site, to include a toilet block and environmental improvements.

Attention was drawn to the late observations form.

a)               The Senior Planning Officer highlighted that the proposal included creating 13 plots for touring caravans, erecting a permanent building to include toilets/showers, as well as undertaking soft landscaping improvements by reinforcing and filling gaps in existing hedges and cloddiau, as well as planting a new hedge on the verge of the site with the nearby public road.

Reference was made to the main changes made between the previously refused application and the current application, namely to reduce the number of plots from 15 to 13 and plant a new hedge.

It was reported that the site of the proposed development was located outside any existing development boundary and was therefore in open countryside with access from an unclassified public road whilst a series of public footpaths crossed nearby land; the site was located within the designations of the Llŷn AONB and the Llŷn and Bardsey Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest.

The application was submitted to the Committee for decision as the area of the proposed development was larger than what could be considered by officers under the delegated procedure. A full assessment had been completed of all the relevant matters, including compliance with policies as well as comments received. It was concluded that it could not be ensured that the proposal would easily assimilate in the local landscape, add to the preservation, enhancement or restoration of the recognised character of the Llŷn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and, due to insufficient evidence and lack of information, it was considered that the proposal was unacceptable and unable to fully meet the requirements of the relevant policies. The officers recommended that the application be refused.

b)               It was proposed and seconded to refuse the application.

RESOLVED:

To refuse

Reasons

The proposal involves the creation of a new touring caravan site in open countryside away from the main roads network. It is not considered that the proposed units would easily assimilate to the local landscape, and it is not considered to be in an unobtrusive location that is well-concealed by the existing features of the landscape, and it is therefore considered that the development would be harmful to the visual quality of the landscape. The proposal would not add to the preservation, enhancement or restoration of the recognised character of the Llŷn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and creating a new caravan site some distance from the main public roads network on a busy rural road where there is a high density of holiday sites would have an impact on the features and character of the area. It is therefore considered that the proposal is contrary to the relevant requirements of policies TWR 5 and AMG 1 of the Anglesey and Gwynedd Joint Local Development Plan and the Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG): Tourist Facilities and Accommodation.

Insufficient evidence has been submitted as part of the planning application to demonstrate that full consideration has been given to the loss of the best and most versatile agricultural land. It is therefore considered to be contrary to the requirements of criterion 6 of Policy PS 6 of the Anglesey and Gwynedd Joint Local Development Plan 2011-2026 and the advice provided in paragraphs 3.58 and 3.59 of Planning Policy Wales.

Due to the lack of information to fully assess the impact of the new sewerage flow from the proposed development, the proposal is unacceptable based on the requirements of policy ISA1 which notes that proposals shall only be approved if sufficient infrastructure capacity exists, or when it is provided in a timely manner