Change of use of land for the stationing of caravans for residential purposes for 1no. gypsy pitch together with the formation of hardstanding and an utility/dayroom ancillary to that use.

The Principal Planning Officer introduced the application for the change of use of land for the stationing of caravans for residential purposes for 1no. gypsy pitch together with the formation of hardstanding and a utility/dayroom ancillary to that use. The Principal Planning Officer confirmed that the Committee had undertaken a site visit that morning to assess the impact of the proposed development on the surrounding area and reported that Severn Trent Water had confirmed that the proposed surface and foul water drainage was satisfactory and they had no objection to the application.

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

Councillor Leonard Staines, on behalf of Wem Rural Parish Council spoke against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Mr Nathaniel Green, Agent on behalf of the applicant spoke in support of 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 Pauline Dee, as local ward councillor, made a statement and then left the room, took no part in the debate and did not vote on this item. During her statement, the following points were raised:

·         The application was 1.9 miles from the nearest settlement of Wem;

·         The proposed site was next to a builders yard which was a potential noise nuisance for future occupants;

·         Previous planning applications on the site for residential development had been refused;

·         There was no local need for the proposal; and

·         There were drainage problems in Barkers Green.

In accordance with Rule 6.1 of the Council Procedure Rules contained in Part 4 of Shropshire Council’s Constitution, Councillor Chris Mellings addressed the Committee as the local ward Councillor, during which a number of points were raised including the following:

·         The site was in open countryside where development would not normally be permitted;

·         There were drainage issues in the area with water currently on the proposed site;

·         There were vacancies on existing gypsy sites in the area;

·         There was no footpath to link the site to the nearest settlement of Wem; and

·         The application was contrary to policy CS4 and CS5 of the Core Strategy and the NPPF.

In response to queries in relation to gypsy/traveller sites the Senior Policy Officer clarified that there was separate policy guidance for traveller sites and as this application had been applied for under bullet point 2 of paragraph 12 of the Core Strategy there was no requirement for the applicant to prove a local connection. It was added that occupation of the site was limited to a person of gypsy/traveller status.  

During the ensuing debate, concerns were raised by some Members in relation to the site being located in open countryside and that the proposal would harm the character of the area.

          RESOLVED:

That planning permission be granted, in accordance with the Officer’s recommendations and subject to the conditions set out in Appendix 1, of the Officer’s report.