Agenda item

Recommendation: Conditional approval subject to legal agreement

Simon weeks declared a prejudicial interest in this item and took no part in the discussion nor vote.

Rachelle Shepherd-DuBey took no part in the discussion nor vote on this item in line with best practice regarding participation at site visits.

Proposal: Full planning application for the proposed addition of four pitches to an existing four pitch caravan park for gypsy and travellers, plus reconfiguration of existing site.

Applicant: Mr D Reed

The Committee received and reviewed a report about this application, set out in agenda pages 19 to 46.

The Committee were advised that the Members’ Update included clarification that Member concerns were related to movement of vehicles referred to the movement of caravans within the site, for example the ‘pinch point’ between pitches 5, 6 and 8, and was not related to the traffic generated by use of the site.

Simon Weeks, Ward Member, spoke in objection to the application. Simon stated that there were originally 11 local resident objections and an objection from Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) with regards to this application. Simon added that WBC had an approximate 11 year Gypsy and Traveller land supply, and there was therefore no current unmet need within the Borough in this regard. Simon stated that at the Planning Committee last month, the primary concern from Members appeared to be the proximity of the mobile homes to the nearby Dittons residential properties. Simon stated that whilst improvements had been made to the proposed siting of the mobile homes to the Dittons, it was unclear whether objectors had been informed of this. Simon stated that he reiterated his concerns raised at the last meeting in addition to the consultation responses with regards to his concerns with this application.

Carl Doran commented that the improvement of the proposed siting of the mobile homes was welcome, however there was still some concern, as he would not want the mobile homes too close to the residential properties but equally not too far away as amenity space would then become a concern.

Angus Ross queried whether having an 11 year Gypsy and Traveller land supply would be a suitable reason for refusal, and asked how enforceable the positioning of the mobile homes on the site would be if approved. Graham Vaughan, case officer, stated that harm needed to be shown in planning terms to constitute a reason for refusal. Justin Turvey, Operational Manager – Development Management, stated that in general not having a land supply was a reason to approve an application, however the reverse situation was not the case. With regards to how enforceable the siting of the mobile homes was, Graham Vaughan stated that the caravans themselves could move within the site, however pitches 5, 6, and 7 were conditioned to not be situated within five metres of the boundary. Graham added that officers could go to the site and measure distance to the boundary, and therefore this was enforceable.

Gary Cowan queried whether this application was in conflict to policy CP10, queried whether the nearby Rooks Nest SANG had capacity to accommodate this site, and queried whether conditions could be added regarding on-site cycle storage and electric charging points. Graham Vaughan stated that although this application conflicted with part of policy CP10, it accorded with policy TB10 of the MDD, and greater weight was placed on the latter policy. Graham stated that Rooks Nest SANG had capacity, and added that the applicant was willing to enter a legal agreement to secure the upkeep and maintenance of the SANG, with the legal agreement to be dealt with after the conclusion of the Committee meeting if approved. Graham stated that cycle storage was in line with WBC policy, however electric vehicle charging was an emerging policy. On a development of this type, neither condition would be sought for at this stage.

Graham Vaughan clarified that Condition 12 now needed to be amended to read the correct plan revision.

RESOLVED That application number 201143 be approved, subject to conditions and informatives as set out in agenda pages 19 to 22, amended Condition 12 as updated on by the case officer, and subject to legal agreement.