Meeting documents

SSDC Area North Committee
Wednesday, 13th December, 2017 2.00 pm

  • Meeting of Area North Committee, Wednesday 13th December 2017 2.00 pm (Item 96.)

Minutes:

Proposal: Change of use of land to 2 no. Gypsy / Traveller pitches comprising 2 no. mobile homes, 2 no. touring caravans, and associated works

 

The Planning Officer advised that the application was for two traveller pitches at an existing traveller site.  The access to the site was level, the visibility onto the highway was good and the need for the pitches was demonstrated therefore his recommendation was to approve the application. 

 

Ms M Smith-Bendell spoke in support of the application.  She said the family were working hard to provide for themselves, they were accepted by the local community and the children attended the local school.  The site was established and the need by family members for the additional pitches was proven.

 

One of the Ward Members, Councillor Stephen Page, said he understood the pressure for suitable traveller sites, but, the Town Council felt the application was overdevelopment of the site.  He also referred to the letters of objection from local residents. 

 

The other Ward Member, Councillor Dean Ruddle, noted that although he was a member of Somerton Town Council he did not sit on the Planning Committee.  He said he was not against the principle of the pitches but expressed concern at the development of open countryside.  He also noted that there were two empty traveller pitches at Ricksey Lane, Somerton.

 

During discussion, Members noted that the site was extremely well maintained and that traveller families preferred to live in family groups to support each other. 

 

In response to a question, the Planning Officer advised that SSDC were not currently meeting the need for traveller pitches required in the Local Plan.

 

It was proposed and seconded to approve the application and on being put to this vote, this was confirmed (voting: 9 in favour, 1 against, 1 abstention).

 

RESOLVED:

That planning application 17/03952/FUL be APPROVED, as per the officer recommendation

 

FOR THE FOLLOWING REASON(S):

 

01.       The proposed development of two additional pitches adjoining existing gypsy/traveller sites, would meet a recognised need without detriment to visual or residential amenity or highway safety. The site is reasonably well located relative to schools and other community facilities and can provide a refuse point, suitable drinking water supply, sewage disposal and other necessary facilities. As such the proposal complies with policies SD1, TA5, TA6 and HG7 of the South Somerset local Plan and the policies contained in the National Planning Policy Framework.

 

SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING:

 

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 development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plan: the drawing ref. 17120/01.

                                                                       

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

03.       The site shall not be occupied by any persons other than gypsies and travellers as defined in Annex 1: Glossary of the Planning Policy for Traveller Sites, Department for Communities and Local Government, (August 2015).

                                   

            Reason: In the interests of sustainable development and to comply with the aims of the document Planning Policy for Traveller Sites and Policy HG7 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

 

04.       There shall be no more than 2 pitches on the site, and no more than 2 caravans, as defined in the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 and the Caravan Sites Act 1968 as amended, shall be stationed at any time on each of the two pitches, of which only 1 caravan in each case shall be a static caravan (residential mobile home).

                                               

            Reason: In the interests of sustainable development and to accord with the NPPF and Policy HG7 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

 

05.       No commercial activities, including the storage of materials, shall take place on the land.

                                   

            Reason: In the interests of visual amenity and highway safety in accordance with the NPPF and Policies TA5, TA6 and EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

 

06.       No vehicle over 3.5 tonnes shall be stationed, parked or stored on this site.

                       

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

 

07.       The areas allocated for parking and turning on the approved layout plan shall be kept clear of obstruction and shall not be used other than for the parking of vehicles in connection with the development hereby approved.

                       

            Reason: In the interests of highway safety to accord with Policy TA5 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

 

08.       Before the development hereby permitted is commenced, foul and surface water drainage details to serve the development, shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and such approved drainage details shall be completed and become fully operational before the development hereby permitted is first brought into use.  Following its installation such approved scheme shall be permanently retained and maintained thereafter.

                       

            Reason: To ensure that the development is satisfactorily drained to accord with the NPPF.

 

09.       The development hereby permitted shall not be commenced until there has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority a scheme of landscaping, which shall include details of the retention and management of the existing trees and hedgerows on the land, together with measures for their protection in the course of the development, as well as details of any changes proposed in existing ground levels; all planting, seeding, turfing or earth moulding comprised in the approved details of landscaping shall be carried out in the first planting and seeding season following the occupation of the building or the completion of the development, whichever is the sooner; and any trees or plants which within a period of five years from the completion of the development die, are removed or become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of similar size and species, unless the Local Planning Authority gives written consent to any variation.

                       

            Reason: To protect the amenity of the area and to retain the integrity of the local ecological network in accord with Policy EQ2 and EQ4 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

 

10.       No external lighting shall be installed within any of the application site unless details of the lighting has first been submitted to and approved in writing by the LPA. Once approved and installed, the lighting shall not be altered without the written consent of the Local Planning Authority.

                       

            Reason: To protect the amenity of the area to accord with Policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

 

11.       The driveway between the edge of carriageway and the entrance gate(s) shall be properly consolidated and surfaced (not loose stone or gravel) in accordance with details which shall have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Once constructed the access shall thereafter be maintained in that condition at all times.

           

            Reason: In the interests of highway safety.

 

12.       There shall be no obstruction to visibility greater than 900 millimetres above adjoining road level in advance of lines drawn 2.4 metres back from the carriageway edge on the centre line of the access and extending to points on the nearside carriageway edge 120m either side of the access. Such visibility shall be fully provided before the development hereby permitted is commenced and shall thereafter be maintained at all times.

           

            Reason: In the interests of highway safety.

 

Informatives:

 

01.       There is a water main pipeline crossing the site. The applicant's attention is drawn to the advice of Wessex Water which can be viewed in their email letter of 15 November 2017, viewable on the Council's website.

 

(Voting: 9 for, 1 against, 1 abstention)

 

 

 

 

Supporting documents: