Use of land for a
quad bike safari activity in addition to existing segway, paintball (skirmish
games) and bushcraft activities
LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Aled Ll Evans
Link
to relevant background documents
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Use of land for a
quad bike safari activity in addition to existing segway, paintball (skirmish
games) and bushcraft activities
(a)
The Planning Manager elaborated on the background
of the application, noting that the application had been deferred at the
Committee meeting held on 23 July 2018 in order to hold a site visit and
receive additional information. Some members had visited the site prior to the
meeting.
In terms of
general and residential amenities, it was noted that concerns voiced about the
proposal mainly related to noise matters. Attention was drawn to the fact that
the report included additional information to what was noted in the previous
report submitted to the Committee, in the context of noise matters. It was
noted that there was a considerable assessment of the noise matters and
attention was drawn to the additional observations received from the Public
Protection Unit, confirming that they did not object to the proposal in respect
of noise, subject to noise level conditions.
It was noted that
although the quad-bike safari was a new activity, it was not believed that it
would intensify the site's use as it could not be held at the same time as the
segway use that had already been granted approval.
It was highlighted
that consideration had been given to the additional information that had been
requested at the previous meeting, in the report under the heading 'Other
Matters' (paragraphs 5.18 - 5.21). It was noted that the Committee had
specifically asked for an explanation in terms of the site's current opening
times and whether or not they coincided with relevant conditions under a
previous permission. It was explained that the previous permission (granted on
appeal) involved opening 5 days a week between 9.00am - 5.00pm, namely Monday,
Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
It was noted that the application before the committee was requesting
opening hours of 9.00am - 5.00pm every day of the week, namely an increase of 2
days. It was noted that conditions on
the extant permissions restricted the site's opening hours, it was possible
that the site was open for 7 days a week already in reality. It was explained that there was no robust
evidence of this, however, from the site's advertisements, it appears that 7
days a week is currently possible at the site.
In line with the
Committee's wishes at the previous meeting, it was confirmed that only one
complaint had been received regarding the site's current opening hours, and
that this was recent. The matter was
being investigated by the Enforcement service.
It was explained that this matter should not affect the consideration of
the application submitted before the committee.
The development
was acceptable in terms of relevant local and national policies for the reasons
noted in the report.
(b) The
local member (not a member of this Planning Committee) noted the following main
points:-
· That 8 letters of objection had been received as part of the public consultation including a letter from the Community Council ... view the full minutes text for item 5
10 Application No C18/0385/41/LL Dragon Raiders Activity Park, Gwynfryn Lodge, Criccieth PDF 106 KB
Use of land for a
quad bike safari activity in addition to existing segway, paintball (skirmish
games) and bushcraft activities
LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Aled Ll Evans
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Use of land for a quad bike
safari activity in addition to existing segway,
paintball (skirmish games) and bushcraft activities
Attention was drawn to the
additional observations that had been received which included a suggestion to
defer the decision
(a) The Senior Development Control Officer expanded on the application’s background
and noted that the site was located in existing woodland on the outskirts of
the village of Llanystumdwy, with access to the site
along an existing unclassified road. It was noted that the site had separate
site access and a car park. It was explained that the area had been created as
an assembly point and reception area for the site's activities farther into the
woodland, with managed access to the permanent paths that led through the
woodland to the activity areas.
It was added that this current proposal was to provide
quad bike safaris along the site's existing paths as an additional activity to
the existing activities held on the site. It was noted that the proposed
development offered
- 6 people using a total of up to six bikes at any one time
- 350cc and 50cc bikes to be used
- The bikes' speed to be restricted to 12-15 miles per hour
- Only ONE activity would be held at any one time, e.g. only the quad
bikes, not the bikes and the segways
It was noted that noise impact deriving from the
proposed use had been included as a concern in a number of letters of objection
received. In a formal response to the public consultation, the Public
Protection Service noted that a comprehensive noise assessment response should
be conducted in relation to the proposal before making a decision on the
application. It was confirmed that Public Protection had received a report from
the applicant, and that conclusions on this report were acceptable. The service
recommended to approve the development subject to noise level conditions.
Having considered all the relevant planning matters,
including local and national policies and guidance, the proposal was considered
to be acceptable.
b) Taking advantage of the
right to speak, the applicant noted the following main points:
·
He was responding to
two main avenues of concerns - concerns about noise and overdevelopment
·
He had owned the site
for 16 years
·
He had no intention of
causing concern for his neighbours
·
He had employed a noise
consultant to assess the activity of the quad bikes, and this expert had
visited the neighbours who had raised concern to complete the noise assessment.
·
In the context of
overdevelopment, he said that it was not intended to develop anything else and
that the existing paths would be used for the new activities
·
The company employed 10
staff, with an intention to employ two additional staff if the application was
approved
·
Over 6.5 thousand
people visited the site every year
·
He had transformed a
section of untidy woodland into a successful local business
c) It was proposed and seconded to defer the application in order ... view the full minutes text for item 10