Issue - meetings

Committee considered a detailed report in relation to the above application.

The application had been referred to Planning Committee by Councillor Donna Hales because the application was for an ancillary room for stables and there were no stables on the site and also because other conditions of previous applications had not been met, i.e. replacement hedgerows.  There were also concerns that the gateway to the stables was not in keeping with the countryside.

The application was for the retention of the amenity block which had been constructed on site.  The building was single storey and was finished in render with a tiled roof and upvc windows and doors.  The building contained a dayroom with kitchen and dining area, a bathroom and a children’s room.

The application did not involve the conversion of a stable block as described in the application and should be considered as a new building, albeit on the footprint of the stable block previously approved and utilising the walls of the stable block which had commenced construction.

The proposed use was not compliant with Policy SS9 (Development in the Countryside) but would provide ancillary facilities to support the approved use as a traveller site. Such facilities were identified as essential in the Designing Gypsy and Traveller Sites Good Practice Guide and as such were considered to be in compliance with Policy LC5 (Applications for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show People.)

The application was recommended for approval subject to conditions.

Comments received from members of the public were detailed in the Supplementary Update Report but related mostly to application 23/00609/FUL which would be considered later in the meeting.

There was no change to the recommendation in the main report as a result of the additional comments detailed in the Supplementary Update Report.  However, it was suggested that the wording of condition 1 be amended to read:

“The amenity block hereby permitted must not be occupied at any time other than for

purposes of an amenity block, ancillary to the use of the site as a traveller site (travellers as defined as defined in “Planning Policy for Traveller Sites (updated 19th December 2023) and must not provide any sleeping accommodation or include the installation of any beds.”

This added more precision to the condition and ensured that it was enforceable should the condition not be adhered to.

Councillor Donna Hales, District Councillor not on the Planning Committee, attended the meeting and spoke against the application on behalf of residents living on Shuttlewood Road, Bolsover.

A Member queried if a condition could be added to ensure that no businesses were run from the site.  The Principal Planner advised that it would not be considered a reasonable/necessary condition to attach to an amenity block because business use of the main site is restricted and this building would be ancillary to that use. Any concerns regarding the running of businesses would need to be taken to the Enforcement Team for investigation and for them to take any appropriate action if required. 

Moved  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56