Locate 2 additional static caravans to the existing site along with improvements to site and locate 1 static caravan as office / reception.
LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor John Brynmor Hughes
Minutes:
Site two additional
static caravans to the existing site along with site improvements and siting a
static caravan as an office / reception.
The Senior Development Control Manager
elaborated on the background of the application, noting that the site was
within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and Landscape of
Outstanding Historic Interest.
It was noted that the main policy to
consider when assessing the principle of the development was Policy TWR 3 of
the LDP. The relevant part of the policy in terms of this specific application
was part 3. It was explained that this policy may permit small extensions to
the site's surface area and /or re-locating units from prominent locations to
less prominent locations subject to compliance with criteria. Attention was
drawn to the fact that the policy did not allow an increase in the number of
static caravans on sites within the AONB or the Special Landscape Areas. The
proposal was contrary to the requirements of Policy TWR 3 in terms of sites
within the AONB.
It
was acknowledged that the development showed some improvements to the
facilities of the existing site and it was proposed to have additional
landscaping on a part of the site, however, the proposal did not overcome the
basic principle of Policy TWR 3 and Gillespies'
report that there was no capacity for additional static caravans within the
AONB.
(b) Taking advantage of the right to speak, the applicant’s agent
noted the following main points:
·
Policy TWR 3 was being implemented as one wide
brush;
·
The AONB Unit did not object to the application;
·
The application site was an infill site in the
middle of other caravan sites;
·
Gillespies' report in terms
of landscape capacity and sensitivity was not prescriptive;
·
The Committee was asked to consider holding a site
visit.
(c) The following main points were made by a
member who was acting as a local member (not a member of this Planning
Committee):
·
That the site was tidy and was located in the
middle of other caravan sites so it would not have an impact on the area;
·
That the proposal would lead to a small extension
to the existing site;
·
That the AONB Unit noted that there would be no
detrimental impact on the AONB;
·
That an office/reception could be provided in an
alternative way to the static caravan;
·
The proposal would mean raising safety standards
and providing a phone and Wi-Fi;
·
Suggested that a site visit should be undertaken.
(ch) It was proposed and seconded to refuse the
application.
During the ensuing
discussion, the following main observations were noted by members:
·
That there were plenty of caravans in the area and
it should be refused in accordance with Policy TWR 3;
·
That a site visit should be considered as the
application proposed improvements to the site;
·
That the proposal was contrary to Policy TWR 3 and
the Gillespies report which noted that there was no
capacity in the landscape for this type of the development. Considering the policy and the report,
astonishment that the AONB Unit noted that there was capacity in the landscape;
·
That a phone and Wi-Fi could be provided on the
site in its current form;
·
Concern considering the observations of the Caravan
Officer that an existing breach of conditions with the fire-spread risk needed
to be dealt with;
·
That the site was located within the AONB and so
the application should be refused;
·
The risk of setting a precedent should the
application be approved.
RESOLVED To refuse for the following reasons:
1. The proposal involves increasing the
number of static caravans on an existing static caravan site within an Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty. Policy TWR 3
of the Gwynedd and Anglesey Joint Local Development Plan does not allow an
increase in the number of static caravans or chalet units on existing sites
within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The proposal is, therefore,
contrary to criterion 3 (iii) of Policy TWR 3 of the Gwynedd and Anglesey Joint
Local Development Plan (July 2017).
2. It is not considered that locating a static caravan in the location in question as an office / reception contributes anything towards improving the design, layout and appearance of the site and its position in the surrounding landscape and therefore, it is not considered that the proposal meets the requirements of criteria 3 (vi) of Policy TWR 3 Of the Gwynedd and Anglesey Joint Local Development Plan (July 2017).
Supporting documents: