Six holiday caravans at Caravan, The Blue Anchor, Watchet

What was proposed

The application sought to remove the five-year time limit and approve details for landscaping, biodiversity, parking, turning and drainage.

“Removal of Condition No's 01 (time limit) and the retrospective discharge of conditions 02 (landscaping), 04 (log pile), 05 (invertebrates hotel), 06 (parking and turning) and 08 (drainage) of application 3/26/21/022.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is south west of the Blue Anchor, accessed from Cleeve Hill, with the caravans about 55 metres from the cliff edge.

“The site lies to the south west of the "Blue Anchor", it is accessed via a shared access with the former pub car park from Cleeve Hill. Directly north from the site is an area of greenery and the public footpath and the cliff edge. This section of the cliff has undergone recent changes in both cliff retreat and the addition of coastal defences. The caravans are currently located approximately 55m away from the cliff edge.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Permission was granted in 2022 for six static caravans for holiday letting, following earlier refused or temporary caravan proposals.

“Reference Description Decision Date 3/26/21/022 Change of use of land with siting of 6.no static caravans for holiday let use (retention of works already undertaken Grant 01/06/22 3/26/08/025 Erection of two detached bungalows with attached garages Refuse 13/11/2008 3/26/07/018 Permission for 2 existing caravans on the road side of the top field - refused 14/09/07 allowed at appeal for the temporary accommodation of seasonal staff limited to a period of 5 years…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the time limit was no longer required in its current form and the submitted condition details were acceptable.

“Application 3/26/21/002 granted retrospective planning permission for the change of use of land with siting of 6 No. static caravans for holiday let use. This application seeks permission to remove Condition 1 (limit on duration) and to retrospectively approve details required to be provided by Condition 2 (landscaping), Condition 4 (log pile), Condition 5 (invertebrates hotel), Condition 6 (parking and turning) and Condition 8 (drainage).”

“The report concludes there has been sufficient information provided to show Condition 01 (limit on duration) is no longer required in its current form. It is recommended that this condition be varied as set out below. The details submitted in respect of conditions 2, 4, 5, 6 and 8 are acceptable and these conditions should be varied to ensure that the approved details are retained in accordance with the details provided.”

Officer report

Consultation and representations

The parish council raised concerns about land instability, drainage, biodiversity and access, while the highways authority had no objections and no local representations were received.

“Old Cleeve Parish Council Removal of conditions could raise serious concerns that the risks associated with land instability could be exacerbated.”

“Drainage (condition 8) removal of drainage controls could increase surface run off and ground saturation which are directly linked to land instability.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The planning officer introduced the application, and the applicant addressed the councillors.

The vote

Councillor Perry proposed approval, Councillor Pugsley seconded it, and the vote was unanimous in favour.

“After deliberations Councillor Perry proposed to grant planning permission. This was seconded by Councillor Pugsley.”

“Having been duly proposed and seconded the Planning Committee resolved that the Planning Application be GRANTED planning permission in line with the officer recommendation.”

Minutes