Agenda item

Refusal

The Committee considered item 10 of the agenda.

Public Speaker

James Harrison (supporting)

The Senior Planning Officer (Major Developments) presented the report and displayed plans and photographs of the site, including photographs from a number of viewpoints.  He recommended refusal of this application for the reasons stated in the report.

Councillor Mrs A Fitch-Tillett stated that she would speak as local Member but would not vote on this application as she had known and been friends with the applicant for many years.  She commented that the report referred erroneously to “Blackberry Hall Cottage” whereas the property was “Blackberry Hall Farm”.  She stated that the holiday park was a top class holiday park which extended its facilities to local residents.  The bar and restaurant were used by the Authority for tourism events.   Woodlands Holiday Park had signed up to be an ambassador for the Deep History Coast project.  However, she had concerns as the Council’s representative on the AONB Partnership.  It was necessary to balance the economic and social needs with the Council’s duty to protect the AONB, and following lengthy negotiations she considered that the application could be approved.  The applicant had agreed to screen the site with trees no less than 10 years old and to replace any that failed.  Power cables would be buried where they crossed the site which she considered to be a planning gain.  She considered that the application should be approved with conditions relating to screening and lighting, and that it would bring social and economic benefits to the east of the District.

Councillor P Heinrich requested further details of the proposed planting.

The Landscape Officer stated that the applicant had not supplied details of the size and nature of the planting.  An indicative plan had been submitted showing where the woodland would be sited.  She explained that there could be a problem if the entire woodland was planted with 10 year old trees given the rate of failure for such trees.  Whips would establish more readily into the landscape.

Councillor P Heinrich stated that he could see the economic benefits of the scheme.  However, he was not convinced that the proposed mitigation would screen the site sufficiently to prevent damage to the AONB for many years to come.  He proposed that the application be refused as recommended.

Councillor N Pearce seconded the proposal.

Councillor A Varley asked for an explanation of exceptional circumstances and why this application was not deemed as such.

The Major Projects Manager explained that exceptional circumstances related to developments which were in the wider or national interest which might outweigh AONB policy.   He acknowledged the economic benefit in this case but this was not considered sufficient to outweigh AONB considerations.

Councillor A Varley considered that the proposal was an exceptional circumstance in that the applicants were investing in the local economy, removing overground power cables and wanted the AONB to retain its qualities.  He considered that the application should be approved with strict conditions relating to the planting of mature trees and the applicants working with the Landscape Officer.

Councillor N Lloyd congratulated the operators on how the site was run and laid out.  The existing site could not be seen from many viewpoints.  However, the new proposal would be visible and there was a need to protect the AONB or tourists would not visit.  He could not support the proposal.

RESOLVED by 7 votes to 5 with 1 abstention

That this application be refused in accordance with the recommendation of the Head of Planning.