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Agenda item

THE PLANS LIST (0.14.01)

To consider the planning applications contained in the list.

 

Minutes:

The Committee considered the applications in the *Plans List. 

 

Note: *List previously circulated and attached to the minutes.

 

a)   Application 20/02128/FULL – Change of use of land for the provision of 6 permanent pitches for the use of gypsy and traveller family, formation of a new vehicular access, hardstanding and associated works

 

The Planning Officer outlined the application by way of a presentation which highlighted the site location plan, the proposed site layout, aerial images, photographs of the site and views from neighbouring properties.

 

She explained that the site had previously benefited from a personal condition for 3 mobile homes and that Devon County Council Highways Authority had no objections to the application. The application included a provision of a sewage treatment plant.

 

In response to a public question she confirmed that officers were satisfied that sufficient information had been received in relation to the applicant’s status as a gypsy and traveller and that consideration had been given to information that had not been made publically available due to the personal nature of the information. She confirmed that Devon County Council Gypsy and Traveller Liaison Officer had confirmed in their consultation response that they are satisfied that the applicant met with the definition of gypsy and travellers as set out in the Government’s planning policy for traveller sites.

 

In response to Member questions she explained that the application was partly retrospective and that the applicant was already occupying some of the site. The application did not seek to obtain authorisation for the unauthorised development which had taken place outside the red line area.

 

Consideration was given to:

 

·         The views of the objector who stated that although the application should not be permitted, neighbouring residents had put forward alternative proposals which were a compromise of the current application but would be acceptable to them. There were concerns about the increased foul water and drainage and there were too many unknowns about the current and future occupants

·         The views of the agent who stated that the site had been a Gypsy and Traveller site since 1988 and that the application met the Gypsy and Traveller Design Guidance. The status of the applicant had been confirmed by DCC and that the family wanted to stay and work in the community. That the applicant should not have their application dictated by neighbours

·         The views of Halberton Parish Council who stated that the Planning Inspectorate had previously refused an application on the site and it should be down to the Inspectorate to determine this application

·         The views of the Ward Member who stated that a previous condition had required the site to be returned to agricultural use after the previous occupants had left the site and this had not appended. A previous application for 4 caravans had been refused under appeal and therefore Members should not be considering a larger site of 6 caravans. He requested that the application be deferred so that Planning Officers could renegotiate with the applicants and that the committee consider visiting the site.

·         The views of a neighbouring Ward Member who stated that the site had a history of being granted permission with a personal condition that had been ignored. That there was a lack of enforcement action against breaches of conditions and that the site was in open countryside and contrary to Policies DM1 and DM14

·         The views of a Committee Member who was also an neighbouring Ward Member who referenced emails between the Planning Officer and Forward Planning Team which were available on the public website. That an application for a Gypsy and Traveller site in the Willand ward had been allowed on appeal, but this was under a previous policy and that there was nothing within current policy which would allow this site

·         The views of Members that there was a lot of unauthorised development already on the site and that enforcement action should be taken

·         The views of Members that they would need to view the site and understand the application boundaries and what had already been built

 

It was therefore RESOLVED that the application be deferred to enable a full Planning Committee site visit to take place to enable Members to view the site and development which had already taken place and to view the highways arrangements.

 

Members requested that the Planning Officer ask the DCC Highways Officer to be in attendance at the site visit if possible.

 

(Proposed by Cllr P Heal and seconded by Cllr G Barnell)

 

Reason for the decision: No decision was made

 

Notes:

 

    i.)        Cllrs Mrs F J Colthorpe, G Barnell, B A Moore, S J Clist, L J Cruwys, Mrs C Collis, R J Dolley, C J Eginton, P J Heal, J Downes and B G J Warren made declarations in accordance with the Protocol of Good Practice for Councillors dealing with planning matters as they had received correspondence from objectors

   ii.)        Cllr R J Dolley declared a personal interest as he knew people in the area

 iii.)        Mr Mills spoke as the objector

 iv.)        Glen Crocker spoke as the agent

   v.)        Cllr Furmedge spoke on behalf of Halberton Parish Council

 vi.)        Cllr R F Radford spoke as Ward Member

vii.)        Cllr B Evans provided a written statement as neighbouring Ward Member, which was read out by the Chairman

viii.)        Cllr B G J Warren spoke as neighbouring Ward Member

 ix.)        The following late information was provided:

 

20/02128/FULL - Change of use of land for the provision of 6 permanent pitches for the use of gypsy and traveller family, formation of a new vehicular access, hardstanding and associated works - Pleasant Streams Uffculme Cullompton.

 

17/08/21

 

1.    At page 3 under the proposed development section, the area of the site that has previously been used for the siting of three mobile homes is approximately 0.13 hectares rather than 1.3 hectares as stated.

 

2.    Since the officer report was drafted further representations have been received from a member of the public and CPRE Devon, the additional points that have been raised and were not previously listed within representations are summarised below;

 

 

·         Clarity is sought on the up to date supply and need for gypsy and traveller sites to justify a permanent gypsy and traveller site for 6 units in this countryside location

·         Why has the GTAA not been updated in 7 years?

·         The size of existing allocated sites?

·         Does the scale of development provide a well-balanced site where amenity, security and management are achievable?

·         How does the appraisal relate to national standards applied to housing and the specific requirements of gypsy and travellers

·         As a permanent site for 6 units how does this compare to the terms of pitch and size of pitch?

·         There is no measurable biodiversity net gain attributed to this proposal to align with national planning policy and the emerging Environment Bill

·         Where is the Landscape and Visual Impact Appraisal to justify mitigation methods being conditioned?

·         Clarity is needed in relation to the poultry unit and regularisation of this situation.

 

Policy position: The Inspector responsible for examining the Local Plan did raise some issues in relation to the provision for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople and noted that it does not provide in full, in specific terms at least, for the need identified in the Plan for 35 pitches for Gypsies and Travellers and 11 plots for Travelling Showpeople. This was considered in detail throughout the examination process. However, as the Council has a demonstrable record of windfall sites for Gypsies and Travellers coming forward and provided that relevant policies make proper provision for these windfall sites to come forward (which was subject to Main Modifications), the Inspector was content that the Plan can still function in a positive and effective way. The GTAA is due to be updated later this year/early next year. Officers are currently preparing a project brief and have started discussions with the Exeter Housing Market authorities to progress this in partnership.

 

Housing standards/layout/ amenity: The allocated gypsy and traveller sites are for between 5- 10 pitches, these form part of the larger site allocation, the allocations do not specifically identify a site area for the pitches. The technical housing standards- nationally described space standard would not be applicable to a development of this nature. The submitted block plan demonstrates pitches are large enough to accommodate a mobile home, touring caravan, parking and amenity space.

 

Ecology: Section 7 of the officer report sets out the biodiversity enhancements that the ecologist recommends are incorporated in the scheme (bird and bat nesting boxes), this is in addition to the 110m of new native hedgerow that is proposed to be provided which would secure a net gain in the hedgerow habitat on the site. The percentage net gain has not been calculated using the Natural England biodiversity metric tool, however as the Environment Bill has not yet been passed this is not a statutory requirement and officers are satisfied, based on the ecologist’s advice and mitigation and enhancement measures that can be secured by condition (see conditions 3, 11, 14 and 16) that appropriate biodiversity enhancements can be secured in accordance with policies S1 and S14 of the Mid Devon Local Plan.

 

LVIA: In this case it was not considered necessary to require a Landscape and Visual Impact Appraisal, the case officer has visited the site and the assessment of landscape and visual impacts are set out at section 3 of the officer report. Poultry unit: it is reiterated that the unauthorised development outside of the site area does not form part of this application. It is likely that a Public Health Officer will be in attendance at committee to advise on their involvement in relation to the environmental concerns that have arisen on site.

 

3. As indicated at section 6 of the officer report a condition is proposed to secure an appropriate method of surface water drainage;

 

19. Within 3 months of the date of this decision there shall be submitted to, and approved in writing by, the Local Planning Authority full details of the means of surface water drainage from the site which is to be implemented in accordance with the phasing plan outlined in condition 3 above. The submitted details shall include results of infiltration testing in accordance with BRE Digest 365.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, the approved drainage infrastructure shall be implemented in accordance with the phasing plan required by condition 3 which will set out the timeframe for completion of the approved works.

 

Reason: To ensure a satisfactory and sustainable surface water drainage system is provided in accordance with policies S9 and DM1 of the Mid Devon Local Plan 2013- 2033.

 

 

 

 

Supporting documents: