Application under Section 73a of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 for the change of use of land from agriculture to camp site to include erection of utility block and siting of 2No. camping pods (part retrospective).

Councillor Ted Clarke as local ward Councillor vacated the Chair.  Councillor Nat Green as Vice-Chairman presided as Chairman for this item.

Councillor Tony Parsons as local ward Councillor left the table during consideration of this item, took no part in the debate and did not vote on this item.

The Technical Specialist Planning Officer introduced the application under Section 73a of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 for the change of use of land from agriculture to camp site to include erection of utility block and siting of 2No. camping pods (part retrospective) and confirmed that the Committee had undertaken a site visit to assess the impact of the proposed development on neighbouring properties and the surrounding area that morning.

The Technical Specialist Planning Officer drew Members’ attention to the Schedule of Additional Letters which included representations from the Case Officer detailing an amendment to condition 3 and an additional condition to address the comments of the Council’s Conservation Officer and comments from Shropshire Council Highways confirming that they raised no objections and outlining informative notes which should be added to the decision notice if Members were minded to approve the application.

Mr Michael Pritchard, on behalf of local residents spoke against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

In accordance with the Local Protocol for Councillors and Officers dealing with Regulatory Matters (Part 5, Paragraph 15.1), Councillor Ted Clarke addressed the Committee as the local ward Councillor, made a statement and then left the table, took no part in the debate and did not vote on this item. During his statement, a number of points were raised including the following:

·         He was concerned that part of the woodland area which was covered  by a blanket Tree Preservation Order had been cut away;

·         He referred to problems raised in relation to sewage disposal and access to a water supply;

·         The access was via a private road used by large agricultural vehicles; and

·         The proposal would harm the character of the area.

Mr Andrew Pearce, the applicant spoke in support of the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

In response to concern raised in relation to access to a water supply, the Technical Specialist Planning Officer stressed that he was not aware of any issue in relation to the right to access of a water supply and suggested that if Members were minded to approve the application an additional condition could be added to any permission granted to ensure that an adequate water supply was established prior to occupation of the camping pods.

Having considered the submitted plans for the proposal and noted the comments of all the speakers the majority of Members expressed the view that the application be approved as per the Officer’s recommendation subject to the amendments as outlined on the Schedule of Additional Letters and the additional condition in relation to the water supply.

RESOLVED:

That planning permission be granted as per the Officer’s recommendation subject to:

·      The Conditions as set out in Appendix 1 and any amendments considered necessary;

·      An amendment to Condition 3 as detailed on the Schedule of Additional Letters;

·      The inclusion of an additional condition in relation to the external finish of the walls of the pods and utility block as detailed on the Schedule of Additional Letters;

·      The inclusion of an additional condition to ensure that an adequate water supply was established prior to occupation of the camping pods; and 

·      The informative notes recommended by the Council’s Highways Officer as detailed on the Schedule of Additional Letters being added to the decision notice.