Agenda item

Variation of condition 3 of approved application 04/01105/FUL (use as caravan site) to allow an increase in number of caravans from 20 to 40. [Strensall] [Site Visit]

Members considered a full application by Miss Raquel Nelson for a variation of condition 3 of approved application 04/01105/FUL(use of a caravan site) to allow for an increase in number of caravans from 20 to 40.

In their update to Members, Officers stated that the Council’s Local Plan V5, which placed an upper limit of 20 caravans on any given site, conflicted with the Government’s more recent Good Practice Guide, and also with an appeal decision relating to the York Caravan Park in Stockton Lane.  They stated that if the applicants wanted to have static caravans on site they would have to submit a fresh planning application. They also informed the Committee that access to the site from New Lane was currently blocked, and that if Members were minded to approve the application, a condition could be added  to reopen this access. In relation to a fence being erected around the boundary of the site, this was currently being investigated by Enforcement Officers.

Representations in objection were received from John Chapman, of Strensall with Towthorpe Parish Council. He confirmed following the Officer’s update that the site had not been screened by trees and hedges but by a close boarded fence on the south/western boundary of the site. He also referred to  an earth bund along the southern boundary of the site, which was already in place. He informed Members that this bund consisted of contaminated materials from the adjacent caravan site. If the application was approved the Parish Council requested  conditions to prevent static caravans, the restoration of pedestrian access to the site from New Lane and restriction of boundary treatment  to  trees and hedges only. 

Representations in support of the application were received from the applicant’s agent. He informed Members that even with an increase in the number of caravans that the overall density on the site was low. He also confirmed that full details of the drainage scheme had already been  approved by the Council and the Environment Agency. In response to a Member’s question about the purpose of the boundary fence, the agent responded that the applicant had erected it due to unauthorised trespass on to the site.

Members were minded to approve the application with an additional condition to  re-open the access from New Lane.

Councillor Warters abstained, as he had been denied entry to the site on the Committee’s site visit, and asked that his vote be recorded.

RESOLVED:       That the application be approved with the following additional condition;

9.                          The access from the southern boundary of the caravan site hereby authorised to New Lane Strensall shall be kept open and free of obstruction for users of the site at all times.

Reason:              In the interests of sustainable development and to secure compliance with Policy V5 of the York Development Control Local Plan.

REASON:           In the opinion of the Local Planning Authority the proposal, subject to the conditions listed in the Officer’s report and above, would not cause undue harm to interests of acknowledged importance, with particular reference to impact on the open character and purposes of the designation of the York Green Belt, impact upon residential amenity and impact upon the local pattern of surface water drainage. As such the proposal complies with Policy YH9 and Y1C of the City of York Development Control Local Plan and Government Policy contained within paragraphs 79-92 of the National Planning Policy Framework.