Agenda item

BACONSTHORPE - PF/18/1921 - Proposed change of use of land from agricultural to tent-only campsite for a maximum of 63 units of tents-only camping with associated electric hook-up points. Change of use of part of the existing campsite to create a wildflower meadow. Use of part of the existing agricultural field for wildflower meadow. Erection of 6 camping pods. Retrospective erection of camp site reception/shop building, shower and wash-up block, two toilet blocks, utility block and children's play area. [Re-consultation: Amended Layout Plan and Revised Description]; Baconsthorpe Meadows Campsite At, Pitt Farm, The Street, Baconsthorpe, Holt, NR25 6LF for A V Youngs Farms Limited

Decision:

Delegated conditional approval

Minutes:

The Committee considered item 7 of the agenda.

 

Public Speakers

 

Objecting: Peter Cope, Valerie Purkiss, Sally Peel and Ben Dowman

Supporting: Nick Moyes

 

The Senior Planning Officer (Major Projects) presented the report.  He reported that two additional letters of representation had been received reiterating concerns previously raised by members of the public.   He displayed plans and photographs of the site and surrounding area, and a map showing the location of nearby residential dwellings.   He recommended approval subject to conditions.  For clarification, he confirmed that the overall maximum number of people staying on the site would be 264, and that the applicant had requested 23 pitches in the western field and 40 in the eastern field.

 

Councillor P Bütikofer, the local Member, supported this application.  He considered that by allowing two areas of wildflower meadow the proposal would not have a detrimental effect on the character of the area.  He considered that it was important to note that Environmental Health had no recorded complaints in relation to the existing use of the site prior to the application, and that the proposed conditions would address the concerns which had been raised.  He considered that the proposed extension was modest and would strengthen the tourist offer in that part of the District.

 

Councillor Dr C Stockton referred to the history of the site in terms of complying with conditions.  He requested that the conditions should be unambiguous and that the applicant should be told that they would be enforced.  On this basis, he proposed approval of this application as recommended.

 

Councillor P Heinrich requested that the meaning of “tents only” should be clearly defined and there should be no folding campers, caravans or motor homes on the site.  He seconded the proposal.

 

The Head of Planning confirmed that an informative note could be added to expand on condition 3.

 

Councillor N Lloyd asked for assurances that the conditions would be met.  He requested that a requirement for recycling be added to condition 15.

 

The Senior Planning Officer explained that submission of details in respect of recycling would need to be agreed in advance of permission being granted.  The condition would not be discharged unless it had been properly addressed.  He stated that the Enforcement Team had not been notified of any particular breaches in the past but the application had highlighted problems.  Any complaints would be investigated.

 

The Major Projects Manager added that it was important that conditions were clearly articulated for the benefit of the applicant and local residents and confirmed that this would be done.

 

Councillor N Pearce asked how the Committee could be kept informed regarding adherence with the new conditions and given assurance that further breaches would not occur.

 

The Head of Planning stated that no breaches had been reported to the Combined Enforcement Team.  Conditions would need to be clearly worded, enforceable in law and clearly understood by all parties.  Any reported breaches would be investigated, enforced and the complainants kept informed.

 

Councillor Mrs A Fitch-Tillett referred to a request by the applicant to remove condition 17 which required the removal of stones from the roadway.  She was concerned that the roadway would become a quagmire in a storm event.

 

The Senior Planning Officer confirmed that the removal of the stones was to preserve residential amenity.  The roadway was hard surfaced below the gravel layer.

 

Councillor D Baker stated that the site was a natural campsite which was quiet.  The applicant was proposing a modest extension which would be mitigated by a wildflower meadow.  He did not consider that it would have a huge detrimental impact on the local residents.  Many conditions were being proposed, but he considered that condition 17 was unnecessary and should be removed.

 

Councillor G Mancini-Boyle asked if the Highway Authority considered there would be an impact from extra traffic leaving the site on changeover day.

 

The Highways Officer stated that there could be a conflict if all vehicles left or arrived at the same time, but leaving and arrival tended to be staggered and it was unlikely that all vehicles would leave at the same time.

 

It was proposed by Councillor D Baker and seconded by Councillor Mrs A Fitch-Tillett that condition 17 be removed.  On being put to the vote, the motion was declared lost with 3 Members voting in favour and 10 against.

 

It was proposed by Councillor Dr C Stockton, seconded by Councillor P Heinrich and

 

RESOLVED unanimously

 

That the Head of Planning be authorised to approve this application subject to the imposition of conditions listed in the report and any other conditions considered necessary by the Head of Planning.

 

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