Issue - meetings

Recommendation: Conditional approval

Simon Weeks left the room for the duration of this item. Chris Bowring assumed the Chair for the duration of this item.

Proposal: Full planning application for the erection of 25No polytunnels (retrospective)

Applicant: Mr Slavchev

The Committee received and reviewed a report about this application, set out in agenda pages 43 to 68.

The Committee were advised that the Members’ Update included the deletion of condition 5.

Chris Bowring asked for confirmation that the Committee could consider this application on its own merits as it was a retrospective application, and sought clarification as to why it was now considered acceptable to allow additional polytunnels, when previously it was indicated that no more polytunnels were required on the farm. Simon Taylor, Case Officer, confirmed that the Committee could consider this application on its own merits. Simon added that market conditions had changed over time and it was now considered acceptable to allow additional polytunnels.

Angus Ross commented that the proposals only accounted for a 6 percent increase in total land covered by polytunnels, which was minimal.

Carl Doran queried whether the polytunnels were a single use plastic. Simon Taylor stated that the polytunnels were not a single use plastic, and they were proposed to be stored and re-used. 

Andrew Mickleburgh suggested that only non-deciduous plants be used to screen the site from its surroundings. Connor Corrigan, Service Manager – Strategic Development Locations and Planning Delivery, stated that the attached landscaping condition allowed the Council to control the species used as part of the screening.

Stephen Conway sought reassurances as to the reasoning behind the deletion of condition 5. Connor Corrigan stated that this condition was deleted as it was not deemed reasonable on the applicant to impose this condition. Connor added that a situation could have arisen which would require the applicant to bin additional crop which would then require trucks to remove the waste. Therefore, there would be no additional impact on the road network should the crop be binned or transported for sale.

RESOLVED That application 191112 be approved, subject to conditions and informatives as set out in agenda pages 44 to 46, and the deletion of condition 5 as set out within the Members’ Update.

Simon Weeks resumed the Chair.