Agenda item

The application was for change of use to provide two pitch gypsy site (retrospective).

This application would have normally been determined under the Council's Scheme of Delegation, however, it had been called-in by Cllr Mansfield on the basis of concerns raised by local residents.

Members were advised of the following updates on the application:

“Corrections

The conditions shown on Page 85 are as shown on Pages 74 and 75 (as a part of the update report) and for the avoidance of doubt do not form part of the original officer report.

Amendments to condition 4

The occupation of the gypsy pitches shall be limited to persons related to the applicant, Mr Maurice Black, and shall include Master Maurice Black and Mr John Lee. Notwithstanding condition 2, in the event that Master Maurice Black and Mr John Lee vacate the pitches then 1 month after vacating the pitches the Local Planning Authority shall be notified and 3 months after vacating the pitches the use shall be discontinued and the site reinstated to the reasonable satisfaction of the Planning Authority.

Reason: To ensure that the proposed gypsy pitches are occupied due to the personal circumstances and only in compliance with the policy for the protection of the Green Belt and to accord with Policies CP1, CP7 and DM1 of the Surrey Heath Core Strategy and Development Management Policies 2012, the National Planning Policy Framework and Planning Policy for Traveller Sites.”

There was uncertainty from Members in respect of whether the applicant’s personal circumstances, along with the other very special circumstances as indicated in the Officer Report, carried sufficient weight to amount to very special circumstances sufficient to outweigh the proposal’s identified harm to the Green Belt.

Members thereby felt they needed more specific medical evidence in respect of the potential impact of the application on the applicant’s grandchild’s needs.

An alternative proposal to defer the application was proposed by Councillor Victoria Wheeler, seconded by Councillor Morgan Rise and put to the vote and carried.

RESOLVED that application 18/0875 be deferred to seek further evidence and clarification in respect of the personal circumstances in relation to the applicant’s grandson.

Note 1

A roll call vote was taken and the voting in relation to the application was as follows:

Voting in favour of the proposal to defer the application:

Councillors Peter Barnett, Paul Deach, Colin Dougan, Edward Hawkins, David Lewis, Robin Perry, Darryl Ratiram, Morgan Rise, Victoria Wheeler, Helen Whitcroft and Valerie White.

Voting against the recommendation to defer the application:

Councillors Graham Alleway and Graham Tapper.