Portable storage cabin at 124 High Street, Selsey, Chichester

What was proposed

Permission was sought for a three-year continuation of a portable cabin for storage ancillary to the premises, together with retention of a storage shed.

“This application seeks planning permission to continue the use of the land at the rear od the site for siting a portable cabin for purposes ancillary to the premises for a temporary period of 3 years and to retain an adjacent storage shed.”

Officer report

The site and its use

The site is a commercial building and hardstanding in Selsey town centre, within the settlement boundary and conservation area, used by the Full Up! community group.

“The application site is located within the Selsey Settlement Boundary Area and Selsey Conservation Area. The site comprises a commercial building and hardstanding, within the Selsey town centre, along the main High Street.”

“The commercial building is single storey, has a flat roof and glazed frontage. The building is set back from the highway, and there is an area of hardstanding to the front and an access road to the side that leads to a parking area at the rear of the building. The overall area of the application site is 0.1 hectares.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

An earlier application sought two one-bedroom flats above the existing single-storey building.

“94/00658/FUL REF Construction of 2 one bedroomed flats as first floor to existing single storey building.”

Officer report

Officers’ assessment

Officers considered the cabin’s community storage benefits outweighed limited conservation area harm, with acceptable effects on neighbours, highway safety and parking.

“The buildings along the High Street in this area are varied in size and appearance. The pattern of development tends to be linear and immediately adjacent to the pavement and highway. Although the portable cabin is relatively industrial in appearance, when balanced with the benefits arising from the proposed use, the purpose of the portable cabin outweighs any harm to the street scene, and character of the surrounding area.”

“The neighbouring property to the south has a parking space to the rear of no. High Street for one vehicle and a right of access leading from the highway to the parking space, including a turning area. The turning area extends over a portion of the parking area that serves the application site. A site plan showing the proposed siting of the portable cabin and the location of the neighbouring property’s turning area has been provided.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The parish council objected over conservation area visibility, parking and possible cooking, while one supporter described the community benefits and storage need.

“Selsey Town Council objects to this application as it is visible from the Conservation Zone. The siting of the Cabin is in the applicant own parking area so they are parking in the turning area for their neighbours. Also the Cabin is being used for cooking without any suitable extraction.”

“Comments received 1 st August 2024 Selsey Town Council object to this application and ask that Chichester District Council are mindful that it is sited within a conservation area.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The report was presented by [name withheld], and [name withheld] spoke as an objector.

The committee’s decision

Members voted by show of hands to carry the officer recommendation to permit the application, subject to the report’s conditions and informatives.

“Following a vote, by show of hands the Officer’s recommendation to permit, was carried.”

“Resolved; permit, subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report.”

Minutes