Issue - meetings

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

The application had been referred to the Planning Committee by the Assistant Director of Planning and Planning Policy as the original application for the traveller site had been determined previously by Planning Committee.

The application sought approval for an extension to a previously approved traveller site to create an additional 4 pitches, each of which could contain a mobile home, one touring caravan and two parking spaces to facilitate the occupant's travelling lifestyle. The proposal included the hard surfacing of the site to facilitate year round access. The proposal also included amendments to the layout of pitch three (already approved).

If the application was approved there would be 7 pitches on site in total.

The proposed use was not compliant with Policy SS9 (Development in the Countryside) but met an identified need for traveller sites within the district in compliance with Policy LC5 (Applications for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show People).

Derbyshire County Council Highways Department had raised concern about potential conflict between additional vehicle movements on the public footpath and the users of the path, however, this was not considered sufficient to warrant an objection.

Following on from the site notices and neighbour notification letters, objections had been received from two residents which were detailed in the report.  Six additional representations had been raised including a representation from Mark Fletcher MP, on behalf of local residents for Bolsover, and these were detailed and addressed by the Planning Officer in the Supplementary Update Report. 

It was suggested that condition 10 be amended to read:

“Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 3(1) of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015, (or any Order revoking and re-enacting that Order) no development otherwise permitted by Part 5 Class B (permitted development for caravan sites) of the Order must be erected/constructed/undertaken without first obtaining planning permission”

This gave clarity and precision to the wording of the condition because it advised

anyone reading the condition what Part 5 Class B provides permitted development for.

A Member raised concern that new guidance from Derbyshire County Council regarding traveller sites was not yet available.  The Principal Planner advised that although the guidance had not yet been published the Council knew what was to be included so deferring the application and waiting for the document to be published would not have any benefit.

Councillor Ashley Taylor, District Councillor not on the Planning Committee, attended the meeting and spoke against the application on behalf of local residents.

The Senior Planning Officer (Policy) advised that if the application was to be approved the Council would have met its target for the number of Traveller Sites required until at least 2040.

It was moved by Councillor Duncan McGregor and seconded by Councillor Chris Kane that the application be approved. 

On being put to the vote it was:

for the motion 4

against the motion 4

The Chair exercised his right to use his casting vote and voted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57