Change of use of land to campsite to include improved access, erection of multi-purpose building and siting of 4 No Shepherds Huts.

The Principal Planner introduced the application and with reference to the drawings displayed, he drew Members’ attention to the location, layout and elevations.  

Members had undertaken a site visit and had viewed the site, the location of the proposed access, facilities building and shepherds huts accommodation, the land where tents and touring caravans could pitch, and the existing vehicular access that would be closed.  Members also walked the route available across the adjacent paddock which pedestrians would take to reach Blakeway Hollow and assessed the impact of the proposals on the surrounding area.

Members noted the additional information as set out in the Schedule of Additional Letters circulated prior to the meeting.

Mr R Dower, a local resident, spoke against the proposal in accordance with the Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Mr R Marcar, a local resident, spoke for the proposal in accordance with the Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Councillor Mrs M Hill, representing Much Wenlock Town Council, spoke against the proposal in accordance with the Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Mrs M Holt, the agent, spoke for the proposal in accordance with the 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) Councillor David Turner, 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 his statement, the following points were raised:

·         On a positive front, the site operated under an Exemption Certificate and provided it operated within the constraints of the Freedom Camping Club’s rules he believed that it could continue to do so.  This application could be capable of making a positive contribution to Much Wenlock’s tourism offer and visitor economy and offer a welcome contrast to the normal camping and caravanning experience offered around the Town;

·         Unfortunately, the application had paid scant regard to the local community’s aspirations and had not embraced the Much Wenlock Neighbourhood Development Plan in setting out its case;

·         Neighbour amenity - objectors contend that this was not a tranquil site;

·         Highways – He drew attention to the repeated concerns expressed with regard to highway safety.   The B4371 was governed by the national speed limit and many who were familiar with it drove their vehicles to this limit and some maybe in excess of this limit.  The road was used by farm traffic and articulated and other HGVs and access and egress off the site would require the utmost care and more so if unfamiliar with the road and towing a caravan;

·         Pedestrians – In bad weather Blakeway Hollow was muddy and slippery and in the dark its uneven surface was hazardous and this may lead to pedestrians defaulting to walking the highway;

·         Landscape – He shared the concerns expressed by the National Trust;

·         Flooding – Any hard surfaces would contribute to flood risk in the Town and should be avoided; and

·         He urged the Committee to refuse the application in its current form; however, if granted he suggested that conditions should be attached to address flooding, impact (huts should be freestanding and mobile without decking and pitches and shepherds huts should have a limited period of occupancy and site conditions should limit occupation to the holidays season) and neighbour amenity.

In the ensuing debate, Members considered the submitted plans and noted the comments of all speakers.  To ensure the provision, establishment and maintenance of an appropriate and reasonable standard of landscape, Members requested that appropriate deciduous/rural planting should be undertaken and the existing conifers should be removed.

RESOLVED:

That, subject to the decision not being called-in by the Secretary of State, Planning Permission be granted as per the amended Officer’s recommendation as set out in the Schedule of Additional Representations, subject to:

·         The conditions as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, subject to:

(i)            Condition 3 being amended as set out in the Schedule of Additional Representations and to read, “No more than 4 shepherds huts, 5 touring caravans and 16 tent pitches shall be provided/sited within the application site at any one time.”;

(ii)          Appropriate conditions being amended/added to ensure that the external surfaces of the roof area of the facilities and storage building and the shepherds huts be BS18B29; and

(iii)         Improved signage directing walkers/pedestrians to Blakeway Hollow.