For:      Miss P Moore per HLL Humberts Leisure, Pavilion View, 19 New Road, Brighton, E. Sussex, BN1 1UF.

Ward:            Leominster South

The Principal Planning Officer presented the following updates:

Miss A Cann, who is listed as being in support of the application, has asked that her letter be considered as an objection.  As a resident on the site, she is concerned at the manner in which the site has been run and refers to a number of disputes that she has had with her landlady.  She also feels that the site has not been properly checked by the Council.

Two further e-mail correspondence have been received.  One is submitted on behalf of the residents of Meadow Bank.  The points raised are as follows and are considered to demonstrate that the park has been used for residential purposes for some time:

1.      Many occupants of the site are there as a sole place of residence and are registered with the Post Office.

2.      All are registered with local dentists and doctors, and one with a local school.

3.      All are on the electoral register.

4.      The majority have BT land lines

5.      The majority of residents have bank accounts, pay Income Tax and National Insurance.

6.      Several residents are Hungarian Nationals and have been granted work permits by the Home Office.

None of this would be possible if the site was not considered to have permanent residential status.

The second is from Mr K Flello who is also a resident on the site.  He comments as follows:

Meadow Bank Park was established as a holiday caravan site during the 1960's and in 1998 was given a Certificate of Lawfulness for 5 homes when it was known that 11 existed on that section.  Since 2003 the park has operated as 'Residential' with people buying homes intending to spend a peaceful retirement and leaving city living and the crimes that plague our cities far behind.  Indeed my research has shown that over the past 5 years only 5 crimes have been recorded in the whole of the Hamnish area, 2 crimes of theft of motor vehicles, 1 a caravan from storage at Meadow Bank in 2002. and, 3 of burglary from non domestic dwellings, in that 5 years I understand that 14 other incidents were attended covering an area from the A44 to Kimbolton.  Some residents have had grants to better insulate their home and add pitched roofs. Some also maintain gardens which also adds to the pleasant views and creates a mutual interest in the general appearance around our homes.  New residents are vetted by Miss Moore which has resulted in very good close knit multi racial community where everyone gets on together.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr Boghurst the agent acting for the applicants spoke in favour of the application.

The Sub-Committee discussed the merits of the application and whether residential accommodation should be permitted in the location.  Councillor RBA Burke, one of the Local Ward Members Had concerns about potential traffic problems in the narrow lanes around the site and expressed the view that the application should be refused.  Councillor WLS Bowen on the other hand was of the view that because of the way residential occupation had evolved over a number of years, it would be difficult to sustain a refusal.  Councillor J Stone felt that little had changed since the previous application was refused and he shared the concerns of Kimbolton Parish Council regarding overdevelopment, amenity value, vehicular access and sewage disposal

The Principal Planning Officer said that because of the planning history of the site; the mix of residential and holiday accommodation; and Certificate of Lawful Use, the officers had taken a pragmatic approach and had felt that it would be better for a permission to be granted which allowed permanent residential occupancy. This would then require the site to comply with the residential site licence and afford officers a greater degree of control.

At this juncture the Sub-Committee decided to withdraw from the public arena to seek advice about some of the legal aspects associated with the site.  The Sub-Committee then returned.

Having considered all the facts regarding the application and the advice offered by the officers, the Sub-Committee still had some concerns about the situation but on balance decided the approval should be granted.

RESOLVED

That planning permission be approved subject to the following conditions:

1.     G04  - Landscaping scheme (general)

Reason: In order to protect the visual amenities of the area.

2.     G05 – Implementation of landscaping scheme (general)

Reason:  In order to protect the visual amenities of the area.

INFORMATIVES

1 - N15 - Reason(s) for the Grant of PP/LBC/CAC