Use of land as camping site from 15th May to 30th June only.
Minutes:
The Committee considered an application to extend the use of
the land as a camping site from 15 May to 30 June only.
Cllrs David Shortell, John Worth and Jean Dunseith did
not take part in the debate or vote on this application.
The Vice-Chairman was in the Chair for consideration of
this application.
The Senior Planning Officer presented the application that
included the site location, relevant planning history, aerial photo and photos of the site.
The main issues were highlighted including:-
·
Principle of development
·
Biodiversity
·
Highways
·
Landscape and visual impact
·
Amenity
·
Habitats
Summary details of
an additional representation and an amendment to condition 3 was included in an
update sheet circulated to the committee prior to the meeting.
The written representations were read out by the Technical
Support Officer in accordance with the amended public speaking protocol and are
attached to these minutes.
Cllr Jean Dunseith addressed the Committee as the ward
member to object to the application due to the conflict with residents created
by extending the timeframe, the increased detrimental impact on amenity; and
use of an additional field used for tents that was closer to residential
properties. She considered that this was
against Local Plan Policy ENV16 and asked that the committee consider the
balance between tourism and respecting the rights of residents.
Cllr John Worth addressed the Committee as the ward member
to object on behalf of Chickerell Town Council.
He described complaints about noise, cooking smells and excess traffic
which would increase if a further extension was granted, as well as the impact
on wildlife due to the extension being within the bird breeding season. He
stated that conditions attached to previous planning permissions had been
ignored.
In response to matters raised during public participation,
the Senior Planning Officer confirmed that:-
·
whether or not the applicant was living on the
site did not form part of the planning balance.
·
comments made regarding land used for tents in
fields to the west of the site was outside of the scope of this application or
the existing planning consent.
·
That there was no extension to the area to be
used for camping as a result of this application.
The Committee wished to explore some of the discrepancies
arising from the public participation written submissions and previous
permissions. However, members were
advised that the concerns raised related to potential breaches of planning
control and would be dealt with through the planning enforcement process as
necessary.
Some members remained concerned and debated the need for the
time extension, impact on neighbouring amenity, alleged camping outside of the
designated area, campervans on the site and increased traffic. There was also a degree of reflection on the
applicant’s attitude towards permissions and the need for more
enforcement. The views of the ward
councillors were particularly noted.
Proposed by Cllr Dave Bolwell, seconded by Cllr Bill Pipe.
The committee was minded to delegate authority to the Head
of Planning to grant the application in line with the report recommendations
and subject to conditions, as amended in the update sheet.
The Service Manager for Development Management and
Enforcement, having considered the representations and the officer’s
presentation, and having taken into account the views
of the committee, made the following decision under delegated authority.
Decision of the Service Manager:
(A): That authority be
delegated to the Head of Planning to grant planning permission subject to the
completion of a legal agreement under S106 of the Town and Country Planning Act
1990 (as amended) in a form to be agreed by the legal services manager to
secure a financial contribution of £1932.28 to mitigation and avoidance
measures for the Chesil and Fleet and subject to the conditions (as amended)
outlined in the appendix to these minutes.
(B): Refuse permission for the reasons set out
below if the agreement is not completed within 6 months of the committee
resolution or such extended time as agreed by the Head of Planning:
1. The site is
located within 5km of Chesil and The Fleet European Habitats Sites where an
Appropriate Assessment has concluded that significant effects from additional
recreational pressures cannot be ruled out. In the absence of a financial
contribution to Strategic Avoidance and Mitigation Measures to mitigate the
impacts of the development, the proposal would have an unacceptable affect on these sites and would be contrary to policy ENV2
of the West Dorset Weymouth and Portland Local Plan and section 15 of the
National Planning Policy Framework.
Cllr John Worth left the meeting at this juncture.
Supporting documents: