Siting of temporary living accommodation for agricultural workers.

Siting of temporary living accommodation for agricultural workers.

The Principal Planning Officer reported the receipt and summarised the contents of the following:

·       An agricultural appraisal prepared by Kernan Countryside Consultants on behalf of local residents;

·       A response to the above appraisal by the applicant’s agent;

·       A further letter of objection from Mrs. Drury; and

·       Further correspondence from DPDS Consulting on behalf of local residents.

Councillor W.J.S. Thomas, the Local Ward Member, acknowledged the expertise and depth of the cases put forward by both the supporters and the objectors.  On balance, Councillor Thomas felt that imaginative and dynamic agricultural enterprises should be supported and that temporary planning permission should be granted in this instance.  He felt that the business would be successful and noted the personal and financial commitment of the applicants to the enterprise.

A number of Members spoke about the importance of diversity in the agricultural sector and welcomed the potential employment and economic benefits of the proposal.  It was noted that a temporary permission was sought and this would not set a precedent or prejudice any decisions about the use of the site in the future.

Councillor P.J. Edwards supported the application but felt that, if planning permission was granted, the two caravans already on the site should be removed and the proposed chalet style mobile home should be sited nearer to the site entrance in order to minimise visual impact.  The Principal Planning Officer advised that the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act would permit a seasonal caravan for use by seasonal workers but the other could be removed upon delivery of the chalet style mobile home.

Some Members did not feel that the case for a functional presence on site or in the locality at most times had been proven and could not support the application.

The Local Ward Member acknowledged the need to mitigate noise pollution from the site, particularly to protect the amenity of the occupiers of Yewtree Cottage which was adjacent to the site.  The Principal Planning Officer suggested that the Local Ward Member and the Chairman be consulted about the conditions felt to be necessary.

RESOLVED: That

(i)      The Central Area Planning Sub-Committee is minded to approve the application subject to the following conditions and any further conditions felt to be necessary by the Head of Planning Services, in consultation with the Local Ward Member and the Chairman, provided that the Head of Planning Services does not refer the application to the Planning Committee:

1.       The development hereby approved shall be carried out strictly in accordance with the amended plan received by the local planning authority on 10th July, 2006.

         Reason: To ensure the development is carried out in accordance with the amended plans.

2.       Prior to the siting of the mobile home hereby permitted the external dimensions and details or samples of the materials to be used externally on walls and roof shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority.  Development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

         Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and to ensure that the materials harmonise with the surroundings.

3.       The mobile home hereby permitted shall be removed permanently from the site on or before 29th August 2009 and the land reinstated in accordance with details (including timescale) which shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority.

         Reason: The local planning authority is not prepared to permit a residential mobile home in this location other than on a temporary basis having regard to the special circumstances of the case in accordance with Annex A of PPS7.

4.       The occupation of the mobile home shall be limited to a person solely or mainly working or last working, in the locality in agriculture or in forestry, or a widow or widower of such a person, and to any resident dependants.

         Reason:  It would be contrary to Development Plan policies to grant planning permission for a mobile home in this location except to meet the expressed case of agricultural need.

5.       The existing mobile home (brought on site in July 2006) shall be permanently removed off site within one month of the siting of the new mobile home hereby permitted.

         Reason: To prevent the proliferation of mobile homes in order to safeguard the character and appearance of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

6.       The mobile home shall not be occupied until works for the disposal of sewage have been provided on the site to serve the development hereby permitted, in accordance with details submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority.

         Reason: In order to ensure that satisfactory drainage arrangements are provided.

7.       Within one month of the siting of the mobile home hereby permitted, visibility splays shall be provided from a point 0.6 metres above ground level at the centre of the access to the application site and 2.4 metres back from the nearside edge of the adjoining carriageway (measured perpendicularly) for a distance of 33 metres in each direction along the nearside edge of the adjoining carriageway.  Nothing shall be planted, erected and/or allowed to grow on the triangular area of land so formed which would obstruct the visibility described above.

         Reason: In the interests of highway safety.

8.      No development shall take place until details of earthworks have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority.  These details shall include the proposed grading and mounding of land areas including the levels and contours to be formed, showing the relationship of proposed mounding to existing vegetation and surrounding landform.  Development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

         Reason: To minimise the impact of the development in order to safeguard the character and appearance of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

9.       Prior to the siting of the mobile home hereby permitted a scheme shall be agreed with the local planning authority which specifies the provisions to be made for the control of noise emanating from the site.  The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details prior to occuption of the mobile home hereby permitted.

         Reason: In order to protect the amenity of occupiers of nearby properties.

(ii)     If the Head of Planning Services does not refer the application to the Planning Committee, Officers named in the Scheme of Delegation to Officers be instructed to approve the application, subject to such conditions referred to above.

[Note: Following the vote on this application, the Development Control Manager advised that he would not refer the application to the Head of Planning Services.]