Traveller site with caravans at OS Field, Great Totham

What was proposed

The application sought residential caravans, dayrooms and hardstanding on the land.

“Full planning permission is sought to change the use of land for the stationing of caravans for residential purposes, and dayrooms and hardstanding ancillary to that use. The proposed static caravan and touring caravan fall under the definition of a caravan under the Caravan Site and Control of Development Act (1960) as they are constructed on a chassis and no significant building operations are proposed.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 0.1-hectare site is outside a settlement boundary in open countryside, with an existing access and a nearby dwelling.

“The site is 0.1 hectare (ha) in size and is located on the eastern side of Colchester Road outside of any defined settlement boundary. It forms part of a wider area of land owned by the applicant. A vehicular access to the site from Colchester Road was approved in 2018 and has been implemented. The surrounding area is rural in nature. The site is bordered by open countryside to the north east and south east and fronts Colchester Road to the north west.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Earlier proposals for a bungalow and three gypsy pitches were refused, while a field access was approved in 2018.

“Reference Proposal Decision 23/00375/OUT Outline application with all matters reserved except for access and the erection of 1no. 150m 2 detached bungalow Refused 19/00076/FUL Change of use of land to form three gypsy pitches with associated access road and hard and soft landscaping.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The parish council objected to the rural location and infrastructure effects, highways raised no objection, and ecology supported mitigation subject to conditions.

“Name of Internal Consultee Comment Officer Response Environmental Health No response Noted, see section 5.8 Ecology No objection, subject to securing agreed mitigation, Biodiversity Enhancement Strategy, sensitive lighting and BNG condition Noted, see section 5.9”

Officer report

Public comments

Two objections and one supporting letter were received, covering the settlement boundary, access, countryside, overdevelopment, highway safety and supporting accommodation.

“Two letters of objection and one letter of support have been received in response to the public consultation.”

“Comment Officer Response Development outside of settlement boundary Noted – addressed at section 5.1 Unsustainable location – no pavement Noted – addressed at section 5.1 Encroachment of built form into countryside Noted – addressed at section 5.2 Overdevelopment of site between two villages Refused Impact on highway safety/visibility Proposal utilises existing approved vehicular access – ECC Highways have confirmed proposal is acceptable in this regard Support for…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The officer presented the application and the agent addressed the committee.

The vote

Councillor E L Stephens proposed approval, the proposal was seconded, and the committee agreed it by vote.

“Councillor E L Stephens then proposed that they approve this application. This was duly seconded.”

“Upon a vote being taken the proposal to approve was agreed, subject to the conditions detailed in the report.”

Minutes

The decision

The application was approved subject to conditions controlling occupation, caravans, siting, commercial activity, ecology, access, contamination and drainage.

“RESOLVED that this application be APPROVED subject to the following conditions: The development hereby permitted shall begin not later than three years from the date of this decision.”

“Any contamination that is found during the course of construction of the approved development shall be reported immediately to the Local Planning Authority. Development on the part of the site affected shall be suspended and a risk assessment carried out and submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.”

Minutes