Issue - meetings

Recommendation: Conditional approval

Proposal: Full application for the proposed change of use from equestrian to mixed use, comprising equestrian and 1 no. caravan pitch including a day room for Gypsy and Traveller residential use (Retrospective)

Applicant: Mr Gabby Lee

The Committee considered a report about this application, set out in agenda pages 201 to 230.

The Committee were advised that updates contained within the Supplementary Planning Agenda included clarity regarding personal permissions and how this site differed from the decision of the Inspector at “Twin Oaks” to the west of the site.

At this stage of the meeting, Rachelle Shepherd-DuBey proposed that the meeting be extended by up to 30 minutes to a finishing time no later than 11pm. This was seconded by Andrew Mickleburgh, put to a vote, and subsequently carried.

Roger Marshallsay, Finchampstead Parish Council, spoke in objection to the application. Roger stated that the proposal was not in accordance with the Finchampstead Neighbourhood Plan which was now at the examination stage. Roger commented that he had heard conflicting reports (on the evening) of the weight given to the Neighbourhood Plan, and was working on the comment given within the Supplementary Planning Agenda for a previous application whereby the plan was awarded moderate weight. Roger felt it unfortunate that the officer report commented that the Neighbourhood Plan had limited weight, and was not referred to at all subsequently, which Roger felt indicated that the Neighbourhood Plan had been disregarded. Roger stated that section 18 of the officer report noted that additional supply of gypsy and traveller pitches was supported (even when a five year supply of pitches was available) where it provided a safeguard for future supply and was established in previously developed land. Roger felt that in section 18 of the report and subsequent sections made no reference to the Neighbourhood Plan which attracted moderate weight, and was of the opinion that this application was invalid on this basis.

Roland Cundy, resident, spoke in objection to the application. Roland was of the opinion that the site was unsustainable, whilst CP6, CP9 and CP11 set out the core strategies with regards to access to local retail, leisure, medical facilities and the promotion of sustainable transport. Roland added that the local shop, post office and petrol station in the village had been closed for two years, with no other facilities available. Roland stated that CP1 clause 11 required developments to demonstrate how they supported opportunities for reducing the need to travel by private car, which this development failed to demonstrate. Roland felt that more sustainable gypsy and traveller pitches could be found in the extra provision of pitches at land to the rear of 166 Nine Mile Ride, which was why this site was supported for expansion. Roland was of the opinion that this proposal was a form of creeping development, where a stable was previously allowed to be developed which now constituted existing built form on the land. Roland stated that the site was accessed by a public footpath leading to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73