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 Councillor David Mansfield on the basis of concerns raised by local residents. 

The application was deferred from determination at the Planning Applications Committee meeting on 18 June 2020.

Members were advised of the following updates on the application:

“The applicant has confirmed that his grandson has been accepted at a local special needs school and would be expected to attend this school for the next 12 years.”

The proposed condition 4 in the officer report stipulated that the occupation of the gypsy pitches would be limited to ‘those related’, to the applicant, and Mr John Lee and Maurice Black. Members had concerns that the phrase ‘those related to’, was open to interpretation. As a result Condition 4 was changed to specify the occupation of the gypsy pitches shall be limited to ‘family members related to…’.

In addition Members wished to specify that occupation of the gypsy pitches should be limited to family members, specifically of those with the personal circumstances which amounted to very special circumstances. As a result condition 4 was further amended to remove the applicant, Mr Maurice Black, from the named occupants.

RESOLVED that

                     i.        application 18/0875 be granted for a period of five years subject to the conditions in officer report, as amended and a legal agreement;

                    ii.        and the final wording on the amended condition be delegated to the Executive Head of Regulatory in consultation with the Chairman and Vice Chairman of Planning Applications Committee, and the relevant ward Councillors.

            Note 1

It was noted for the record that Councillor Graham Alleway declared that he had been contacted by residents who had queries and expressed concerns on the application. 

Note 2

A roll call vote was conducted and the voting was as follows:

Voting in favour of the recommendation to grant the application:

Councillors Peter Barnett, Cliff Betton, Paul Deach, Shaun Garrett, Edward Hawkins, David Lewis, Charlotte Morley, Robin Perry, Darryl Ratiram, Morgan Rise, Graham Tapper and Valerie White.

Voting against the recommendation to grant the application:

Councillors Graham Alleway, Victoria Wheeler and Helen Whitcroft.