Agenda item

Planning Application 15/02269/FUL - OS0062 Mildmays Road, High Ham.

Meeting of Area North Committee, Wednesday 27th January 2016 2.00 pm (Item 147.)

Minutes:

Proposal: Change of use of land for the creation of two additional gypsy pitches for occupation by family members of the applicant.

The Area Lead (West) presented the application as detailed in the agenda. He reminded members that the application had been deferred at the December meeting due to concerns raised about water supply and drainage.

He clarified that Wessex Water supplied water to the site. Regarding drainage, the applicant had installed a cess pit some time ago, and Wessex Water had indicated this was an adequate provision for drainage at the site. The Environment Agency raised no objections but noted they would have preferred to see a sewage treatment works. The Area Lead explained that Building Control would be asked to check the installed cess pit to ensure it is fir for purpose – as they have the power to remove it and/or improve it if necessary. An additional condition was recommended to require that before any pitches are occupied, that the cess pit is checked to ensure that it meets the relevant regulations and guidance.

There was no further discussion and it was proposed to approve the application, as per the officer recommendation, subject to an additional condition to agree details of foul and surface water drainage. On being put to the vote, the proposal was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:

That planning application 15/02269/FUL be APPROVED, as per the officer recommendation and subject to an additional condition to agree details of foul and surface water drainage, and subject to the following conditions:

Justification:

01. The proposal would make a contribution towards meeting the Council's identified need for gypsy/traveller pitches. It would not cause any severe highway impact and will have limited impact on the visual amenity of the rural area. The proposal is considered to be in accordance with policy advice in Planning Policy for Traveller Sites and Policy HG7 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

Subject to the following conditions:

01. The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

Reason: To accord with the provisions of section 91(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

02. The site shall not be occupied by any persons other than gypsies and travellers, as defined in Planning Policy for Traveller Sites.

Reason: The Local Planning Authority would not wish to see a caravan site established in this locality except to meet the particular need to provide facilities for gypsies and travellers in accordance with Policy HG7 of the South Somerset Local Plan and policy guidance in Planning Policy for Traveller Sites.

03. The residential use hereby permitted shall be restricted to a maximum of 2 pitches, with a maximum of one mobile home/static caravan and one touring caravan per pitch.

Reason: In the interests of visual amenity and highway safety in accordance with Policy EQ2 and TA5 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

04. No business activities shall be conducted at the site without the express grant of planning permission.

Reason: In the interests of the character and amenities of the locality in accordance with Policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

05. Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning General Permitted Development Order 1995 (or any subsequent order amending or revoking and re-enacting that Order), no further gate, fence, wall, building or other means of enclosure or structure, other than those approved by this permission and as part of condition 6, shall be erected on the site without the express grant of planning permission.

Reason: The Local Planning Authority wish to exercise control over the matters referred to in the interests of visual amenity in accordance with South Somerset Local Plan Policy EQ2.

06. The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: site location plan and block plan date stamped 11th May 2015.

Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.

07. (i) Before any part of the permitted development is commenced, details of the boundary treatment which shall include the southern boundary of the adjacent pitch, details of the species, siting and numbers to be planted, and in the case of any fencing/walling to be erected, details of the materials to be used, shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

(ii) The details as referred to above, shall be completely carried out within the first available planting season from the date of commencement of the development, or as otherwise extended with the agreement in writing of the Local Planning Authority.

(iii) For a period of five years after the completion of any landscaping scheme, the trees and shrubs shall be protected and maintained in a healthy weed free condition and any trees or shrubs that cease to grow shall be replaced by trees or shrubs of similar size and species, or the appropriate trees or shrubs as may be approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To ensure that the proposed development makes a satisfactory contribution to the preservation and enhancement of the local character and distinctiveness of the area in accordance with Policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

08. No external lighting shall be installed within the site without the details having first been submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: In the interests of visual amenity to accord with Policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

09. The development hereby approved shall not be commenced until a Flood Emergency Plan has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Once approved, the applicant should follow the procedure in the event of flooding.

Reason: To ensure that any future residents of the site are aware of the procedure to follow in the case of a flooding event.

10. No occupation of the 2 additional pitches hereby approved shall be occupied until

1) details of the method of foul and surface water disposal have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, and 2) the agreed foul and surface water details have been fully installed to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority. Once agreed and installed, the foul and surface water systems shall not be removed or replaced without the written consent of the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To ensure that the scheme is adequately drained to accord with the NPPF.

(Voting: Unanimous in favour)

Supporting documents: