Temporary static home at Ty Cilgawod, Llanwrda, Caeo

What was proposed

The application sought a two-year temporary static home for an employee, their partner and child, with help provided on the farm during busy periods.

“Application Type Full planning permission Proposal Temporary siting of static home for 2 years to provide accommodation for employee to Alun Davies (Caio) Ltd and to assist on the farm during busy times…”

“The proposed development seeks permission for the temporary siting of a static caravan for residential use for the applicant and his partner and child. Information submitted with the application explains that the applicant recently moved to Wales with his young family and is now employed by [name withheld] as a builder/carpenter.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The site was a hardstanding area in a farmyard about one kilometre east of Caio, near two existing homes and other buildings.

“The application site relates to a hardstanding area at a yard area associated with the holding known as Cilgawod, Caio approximately 1km East of the village of Caio, Llanwrda along the C2173 road. There are two residential properties in close proximity to the site associated…”

Officer report

Earlier applications and drainage

There was no relevant history on the application site, while earlier applications concerned the wider yard; the drainage proposal changed to a compost toilet.

“The initial application submitted for the static caravan proposed its connection to an existing septic tank located approximately 10 metres southwest of the application site. Given the sites location within the phosphate sensitive catchment area of the River Tywi, this proposal was not deemed acceptable by the Council’s Planning Ecology in line with advice by NRW on private drainage arrangements in sensitive catchment areas.”

“Whilst there is no relevant planning history on the application site itself. A number of planning applications have been submitted on the wider yard area in the last 25 years relating to the construction of the second dwelling on the site, replacement of the former residential dwelling on the site and the erection of the agricultural buildings.”

Officer report

Why officers advised refusal

Officers found insufficient evidence that an essential agricultural worker needed to live on the spot, despite acceptable effects on character, ecology and highways.

“In this case there is no detailed justification submitted to enable the authority to assess the application against the tests. It is apparent, based on the limited information provided, that the applicant is not fully employed in agriculture but rather within the building trade and will only provide incidental support during busy periods.”

“The proposal, if approved would be contrary to Policy H9 (Residential Caravans) criteria (a) of the Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan 2014 in that the temporary siting of the static caravan for residential use in the open countryside has not been sufficiently justified or supported by robust evidence to demonstrate that there is an essential need for an agricultural worker to live on the spot and as such does not fall within the permitted criteria specified within this…”

Officer report

Consultation and public response

Natural Resources Wales and public protection raised no objection subject to drainage safeguards, the community council made no observations, and no public representations were received.

“Cynwyl Gaeo Community Council - No observations received to date.”

“Natural Resources Wales – confirm that the application site is within the catchment of the River Tywi Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and in line with advice and under the Habitats Regulations, there is a need to consider the impact of proposed developments on water quality within SAC river catchments and whether the proposals, as submitted, would increase the volume of foul discharge from the site in planning terms.”

Officer report

Support from the local member

The local member said the applicant worked on the farm, faced unsustainable rent and had no reasonable alternative, and that the proposal met the residential caravan policy.

What the committee considered

The committee considered whether the applicant was an essential agricultural worker and whether rural economic benefits and reduced commuting supported the proposal.

“The Committee referred to the report of the Head of Place and Sustainability detailing the reasons for recommending refusal of application. This was on the basis that it was contrary to Policy H9 of the LDP and TAN6 which set out circumstances where residential caravans may be considered acceptable.”

“Whilst having regard to those refusal reasons, the Committee considered the application should be granted contrary to the Head of Place and Sustainability’s recommendation on the basis it was felt that the applicant was an essential worker in agriculture, and that this was consistent with Policy H9.”

Minutes