Minutes:
110.1 Item A
Application DC/19/04923
Proposal Planning Application- Change of use of land as a single gypsy and traveller site for the siting of up to 1no. mobile home, 2no. touring caravans and erection of 1no. dayroom.
Site Location MONKS ELEIGH- Land North of Second Pits, Highlands Road, Monks Eleigh, Suffolk.
Applicant Mr D Penfold
110.2 The Case Officer presented the application to the Committee outlining the proposal before Members, the layout of the site, and the officer recommendation of refusal.
110.3 Members considered the representation from Angela Forrest of Monks Eleigh Parish Council.
110.4 Members considered the representation from Robert Butler of Kettlebaston Parish Council.
110.5 Members considered the representation from John Dagg who spoke as an Objector.
110.6 Members considered the representation from Brian Riley who spoke as an Objector.
110.7 Members considered the representation from Councillor Bryn Hurren who spoke as the Ward Member.
110.8 Members debated the application on the issues including: the comments that had been made by members of the public regarding the proposal, the sustainability of the proposal, and the district need for Gypsy and Traveller pitches.
110.9 Councillor Lee Parker proposed that the application be refused as detailed in the officer recommendation with the additional reason as follows:
CR04 (Harm to the Special Landscape Area)
110.10 Councillor Sue Ayres seconded the motion.
110.11 RESOLVED
That the application is REFUSED planning permission for the following reasons:
1. The proposed development for the creation of one new gypsy and traveller pitch comprised of one mobile home and two touring caravans fails to accord with the requirements expected for developments within the countryside, contrary to Policy CS2 of the Babergh Core Strategy (2014). Furthermore, the development fails to comply with the requirements of paragraph 8 of the NPPF, with the proposed development not considered to form sustainable development, with particular with regards to the poor access to services and sustainable transport links. The proposed development is situated on land outside of any settlement boundary remote from services and would lead to reliance on private car use which would not promote healthy living or sustainable transport, contrary to policy CS15 of the Babergh Core Strategy (2014) and paragraphs 8, 91, 103, 117 and 122 of the NPPF. As such the proposal is not acceptable in principle, being contrary to paragraphs 8, 91, 103, 117 and 122 of the NPPF (2019) and Policies CS2 and CS15 of the Core Strategy (2014).
2. Further, the application would result in a less than substantial level of harm to the setting of Wagger Farm, a Grade II listed farmhouse through the introduction of both alien materials and roof forms belonging to the proposed mobile homes and touring caravans. No positive public benefits associated with proposed development are identified as required by paragraph 196 of the NPPF. Consequently, the application is held to be contrary to policy CS15 of the Babergh Core Strategy as well as policy CN06 of the Babergh Local Plan. It would also not accord with Section 66(2) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.
Additional Reason – CR06 (Harm to Special Landscape Area)
Supporting documents: