Agenda item

Installation of hardstanding, landscaping and infrastructure works to parking area [Strensall Ward]

Members considered a major full application from Dykes for the Installation of hardstanding, landscaping and infrastructure works to parking area at Piglets Adventure Farm Towthorpe Grange Towthorpe Moor Lane Strensall York.

The Development Manager outlined and gave a presentation on the application. He was asked and explained that the application included a service pathway that provided a pedestrian route into the site. He added that there was no pedestrian access to the site.

The Development Officer gave an update on the application noting the deletion on Condition 7, a change to a drawing number in Condition 10 and the deletion of informative 3, which had been added in error.

Public Speaker

Sarah Sykes, applicant with her husband, spoke in support of the application. She explained that the application had been carefully considered with Officers. She detailed the problems with parking noting how the proposed hardstanding would help with safety on the site and how biodiversity would be improved. She hoped that the Committee would support the officer recommendation. She noted amendments needed regarding references to a theme park, explaining that it was a farm adventure park.

In response to Member questions, she explained that:

·       There were many trees on the farm and the trees in the application were designed to grow up through the hedges.

·       Many staff members cycled to the farm adventure park and she would be happy to put cycle parking in.

·       The wildflower planting was outside of the application site and would be along the entrance field.

Members asked Officers questions to which they responded that:

Regarding securing cycle parking for visitors there was no reference to cycle provision in policy T1 of the Local Plan. An informative about cycle parking could be added.

Cllr Merrett proposed the officer recommendation to delegate authority to the Head of Planning and Development Services to approve the application subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement to secure Bio-diversity monitoring contribution of £2,750, finalise the detail of the S106, deletion of Condition 7, a change to a drawing number in Condition 10, the deletion of informative 3 and an informative regarding the provision of staff and visitor cycle parking is encouraged including for adapted cycles. This was seconded by Cllr Cullwick. Following a unanimous vote it was:

Resolved:

i That delegated authority be given to the Head of Planning and Development Services to APPROVE the application subject to:

a. The completion of a Section 106 Agreement to secure the following planning obligations:

•         Bio-diversity monitoring contribution of £2,750

ii The Head of Planning and Development Services be given delegated authority to finalise the terms and details of the Section 106 Agreement.

iii The Head of Planning and Development Services be given delegated authority to determine the final detail of the conditions in the published report.

iv The deletion of Condition 7, a change to a drawing number in Condition 10, the deletion of informative 3 and an informative regarding the provision of staff and visitor cycle parking is encouraged including for adapted cycles.

Reasons:

1.     The application site is within the Green Belt.

2.    The site area currently has a visitor car park area in association with Piglets Adventure Park. The car parking arrangements are lawful following the grant of a certificate of lawful Use application in 2023 and the site benefits from car parking schemes approved following historic planning permissions in 2002 and 2004.

3.    The proposed development is acceptable when applying Local Plan Green Belt policy; the development is not inappropriate development in the Green Belt, preserves openness and does not conflict with the purposes of the Green Belt. There is no other harm identified in terms of neighbour amenity and sustainable drainage.

4.    As part of BNG and conditions a Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan is required and confirmation that habitat works have been completed.

5.    Other technical matters can be secured by conditions.

6.    The proposal is considered to comply with the Local Plan polices GB1 (Development in the Green Belt) D2 (Landscape and Setting) ENV5 (Sustainable Drainage) T1 (Sustainable Access) G14 (Trees and Hedgerows) GI2 (Biodiversity and Access to Nature) DP2 (Sustainable Development) EC4 (Visitor Economy)ENV2 (Managing Environmental Quality) of the Local Plan and Section 13 (protecting Green Belt) of the NPPF.

Regarding the regarding references to a theme park in the published report it was confirmed that this could not be changed but had been noted that Piglets was a farm adventure park.