Agenda item

Change of use of field adjacent to existing caravan park to accommodate an additional 24 pitches, conversion of part of garage to shower and toilet block. [Derwent Ward]

Members considered a full application which seeks permission for the change of use of the field adjacent to an existing caravan park to accommodate an additional 24 pitches, conversion of part of a garage to a shower and toilet block.

Officers updated that an additional letter of objection had been received from a resident of Milestone Cottages raising concerns about possible drainage problems and asked if drainage conditions could be applied should the application be approved. Officers confirmed that the Drainage Board were happy with the application as long as any site run off drains away and does not affect any other drainage courses.

Representations in support of the application were heard from the applicant who advised that the openness of the green belt would not be adversely affected, the undeveloped green field is hedged on 4 sides which prevents the caravans being visible and impacting on visual amenity of the area, and that those using the site are encouraged to use the bus service 300m away.

Members queried exactly what the applicant is asking for as it was unclear to some members. Officers confirmed that the applicant would like to increase the use of the site from existing temporary use on certain days of the year to use the land all year round.

Certain Members felt they could support the application as the field is already being used as a caravan park and could see no reason to refuse. Members asked if conditions could be added to restrict the occupancy of the site to summer months if the application was approved. It was decided that this would not be possible as the conditions attached to the existing caravan site allow it to be occupied for almost the entire year.

Other Members considered the application to conflict with planning policy particularly in relation to the Green Belt and could not support the application.

RESOLVED:             That the application be refused.¹

REASON:                  1.The proposals would significantly enlarge the area currently occupied by caravans, thereby further encroaching into an open area of Green Belt. The development is considered to represent inappropriate development in the Green Belt as the size, scale and location of the proposed caravan park extension, together with the activities associated with it, would harm the openness of the Green Belt. This is considered contrary to national planning guidance in Planning Policy Guidance Note 2 (Green Belts) and Policies GB1, V5 (a, d and f) and V1(f) of the City of York Draft Local Plan.

                                    2.The proposals would enlarge the area currently occupied by caravans, thereby encroaching into the open countryside to the detriment of visual amenity and the attractive rural character of the area. This is considered contrary to policies GP1 (a, b, c, e), V5 andV1 (f) of the City of York Draft Local Plan.

                                    3.It is considered that the proposed development would harm visual amenity and outlook from the rear of the fifth Milestone Cottage to the south of the application site. This by virtue of the new development encroaching into the field closest to these properties , and the proposed layout which shows caravans positioned along the southern boundary of the site, presenting a visually dominant development when viewed from the rear of these properties. This is considered contrary to Policies V1 (e) and V1 (b) of the City of York Draft Local Plan.

                                    4.The site is not considered convenient for the use of public transport due to its isolated location down a country lane away from the nearest bus route. The proposals would therefore be likely to increase the number of vehicular journeys undertaken by visitors to the site by private car, to the detriment of sustainable transport and development policies. This is considered contrary to Policies GP4a, V5 (e) and V1 (b) of the City of York Draft Local Plan.