Change of use of farm yard and buildings to holiday complex to include: some demolition of buildings; siting of four glamping units and one log cabin; works to and change of use of two buildings to form office and store and leisure facilities, formation of parking areas; and installation of package treatment plant (Amended Description).

The Consultant Planning Officer introduced the application for the change of use of farm yard and buildings to holiday complex to include: some demolition of buildings; siting of four glamping units and one log cabin; works to and change of use of two buildings to form office and store and leisure facilities, formation of parking areas; and installation of package treatment plant (Amended Description) 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 Consultant Planning Officer drew Members’ attention to an additional representation from a local resident which had been circulated to the Committee. In reference to the representation, the Area Planning Manager stated that the site was able to accommodate additional units and therefore if Members were minded to approve the application he suggested that the scale of development be restricted to that included in the application.

Roger Thompson, local resident spoke in objection to the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Councillor Ian Lawrence, on behalf of Sheinton Parish Council spoke in objection to 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 Claire Wild 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 her statement, a number of points were raised including the following:

·         There were only 22 dwellings in Sheinton and the site was in the middle of the village;

·         The site would not be supervised at all times and if Members were minded to approve the application a condition should be added to ensure that there was a manager on site at all times;

·         At full occupation there would be 42 guests on site, doubling the size of Sheinton; and

·         The application would not benefit the community and would have an adverse impact on the rural character of the area.

Helen Earley, the applicant, spoke in favour of the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

In response to the speakers, the Consultant Planning Officer clarified that the figure given for the maximum number of guests was 38 and stated that a condition in regards to low level bollard lighting had been included.

Having considered the submitted plans for the proposal and noted the comments of all the speakers, Members unanimously agreed to defer consideration of the application to a future meeting of this Committee to allow the opportunity for the concerns raised by Members in relation to the use of the site 12 months of the year and the lack of on-site supervision to be addressed.

RESOLVED:

That consideration of the application be deferred to a future meeting of this Committee to allow the opportunity for the concerns raised by Members in relation to the use of the site 12 months of the year and the lack of on-site supervision to be addressed.