Retention of two existing and siting of one further mobile home to be occupied by seasonal agricultural workers.

Retention of two existing and siting of one further mobile home to be occupied by seasonal agricultural workers.

The Principal Planning Officer gave a presentation on the application and updates / additional representations received following the publication of the agenda were provided; the schedule of committee updates is appended to these minutes. An additional email of objection had been received subsequent to the preparation of the updates sheet, the email was summarised for Members.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr Soble, the applicant, had registered to speak in support of his application but was not present at the meeting.

In accordance with paragraph 4.8.2.2 of the Council’s Constitution, Councillor GFM Dawe, the local ward member, commented on a number of issues, including:

• That the site was home to a large agricultural complex which fell within the AONB.
• The impact of the application on the site and the surroundings warranted a Member site visit.

Councillor Dawe was given the opportunity to close the debate in accordance with the Council’s Constitution. He reiterated his opening statements in support of a site visit to the application site.

RESOLVED

That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

1          F21 Temporary permission – ten years (mobile home/caravan). The caravans should also be removed from the site in the event that the existing business ceases.

2          The occupation of the caravans shall be limited to persons employed in agriculture at Whitethorn Farm, Carey, HR2 6NG.

Reason: The accommodation and associated development proposed under this application is only considered acceptable on the basis of the functional need associated with the growing of fruit and vegetables on the land surrounding the application site and to comply with Policy H8 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

3          Within two months of the date of this permission, the colour including the BS number for all exterior surfaces of the mobile homes hereby permitted shall be submitted for approval in writing of the local planning authority. The existing mobile homes shall be coloured in accordance with the approved details within four months of the date of this permission and the additional mobile home coloured in accordance with the approved details prior to being occupied.

Reason: To protect the visual amenities of the area and to ensure the development conforms with Policies LA1 and DR1 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

4          Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 or any Order revoking or re-enacting that Order with or without modification, no other caravans shall at any time be placed on the land identified in blue outlined on the plan titled 'Farm Regime' and dated May 2010.

Reason: To prevent the further proliferation of mobile homes in order to safeguard the visual amenity of the area and to ensure the development conforms with Policies LA1 and DR1 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

5          F31 Static holiday caravan occupancy (November to March inclusive).

Informatives:

1          N19 Avoidance of doubt - Approved Plans.

2          N15 Reason(s) for the Grant of PP/LBC/CAC.