Change of use of land for the extension of existing secure caravan storage; relocation of existing green steel clad storage shed; ground works and retaining wall with 2m high mesh security fencing above.

The Principal Planner introduced the application and confirmed that Members had undertaken a site visit prior to the meeting and had assessed the impact of the proposal on the surrounding area.  With reference to the drawings displayed, he drew Members’ attention to the location and layout.

Members noted the additional information as set out in the Schedule of Additional Letters circulated prior to the meeting detailing further comments from Shropshire Council’s Ecology Officers.

Councillor Mrs S Crichton, representing Wheathill Parish Council, spoke against the proposal in accordance with the Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees, during which the following points were raised:

·         The application related more to storage rather than tourism;

·         Would not provide any additional employment;

·         Would not be in keeping with the surrounding AONB area and the CPRE had raised objections;

·         No amount of screening would reduce the visual impact when viewed from higher ground and old trees had already been removed from the site;

·         Concerned with the incremental development, there had been eight planning applications within a short time;

·         Concerned about the excavation and the method of disposal of the waste spoil; and

·         The impact on the AONB should not be outweighed by the economic benefits of this proposal.

Mr J Bryan, the agent, spoke for the proposal in accordance with the Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees, during which the following points were raised:

·         The application would provide an extended area within the existing site to enable the operators to meet the demands of their customers and encourage repeat visits;

·         Would provide secure storage facilities and employment for local people;

·         There had been a significant number of applications to close public houses in recent times, this proposal would support the adjacent public house;

·         There would be no adverse impact on the landscape and additional screening would be implemented; and

·         Would not be contrary to policy and was a sustainable location.

In response to questions from Members, Mr Bryan provided clarification on the spoil disposal and site opening times and reiterated that the site would secure existing employment both on the site and also at the adjacent Three Horseshoes public house.

By virtue of the amendment made to Shropshire Council’s Constitution, as agreed at the meeting of Full Council held on 27 February 2014, Councillor Madge Shineton, as the local Ward Councillor, made a statement and then left the room and took no part in the debate and did not vote on this item. During her statement, the following points were raised:

·         She provided an overview of the history of the site;

·         The applicant had now employed the local nursery to mitigate any initial inappropriate landscaping; and

·         She would strongly oppose the siting of mobile homes on this site.

In the ensuing debate, Members considered the submitted plans, noted the comments of all speakers and the majority voted to permit the application. 

RESOLVED:

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

·         The conditions set out in Appendix 1; and

·         An additional condition to ensure that no development shall commence until full details of both hard and soft landscape works have been approved in writing by the local planning authority and these works to be carried out as approved and in accordance with a timetable to be agreed.