Car park access track at Land Off Lighthouse Lane (West Of Existing Car Park Off Beach Road) Happisburgh

What was proposed

The application sought to move the car park access and vary five conditions to reduce headlights shining into nearby properties.

“HAPPISBURGH – RV/25/2056 – Access track to Lighthouse Lane to serve existing public car park and new car park to allow for rollback of existing car park; ancillary works, without complying with conditions 2 (approved plans), 3 (landscaping), 14 (access track from Lighthouse Lane), 15 (gates/bollard/chain/other means of obstruction) and 21 (off-site highway improvements) of planning permission PF/22/2510 to allow new access position off Lighthouse Lane to align with opposite…”

“Seeks to vary conditions of the planning permission PF/22/2510 to allow a change in the position of the access off Lighthouse Lane. This requires the variation of five conditions that relate to matters of highway safety in total as set out within conditions 2, 3, 14, 15 and 21 of the original permission. The application is submitted so as to reduce headlight glare into properties opposite the approved access point on Lighthouse Lane.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is affected by Grade 1 agricultural land, countryside, undeveloped coast and coastal erosion risk constraints.

“Agricultural Land Classification: Grade 1 Countryside Undeveloped Coast Constraint Area Coastal Erosion Risk Areas: Coastal Erosion Risk Area - 100 years Coastal Erosion Risk Area - 50 years…”

Officer report

Earlier planning decisions

Earlier permissions covered the car park, beach access ramp, playing field and related landscaping and access changes.

“PF/22/2510: Access track to Lighthouse Lane to serve existing public car park and new car park to allow for rollback of existing car park; ancillary works at Land off Lighthouse Lane Happisburgh for Happisburgh Parish Council – Approved…”

“RV/22/0821: Variation of condition 2 (approved plans) of planning permission PF/11/0169 (Change of use of land from agricultural/amenity land to public car park/amenity land and construction of beach access ramp) to retain dropped kerb - Approved…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Approval was recommended with previous conditions retained and new controls for visibility splays and electric vehicle charging.

“APPROVAL subject to the imposition of conditions as per the previous approval (minus the time limit condition - see headings below) together with two new conditions added to control / deliver the following:”

“The use of land within the blue line for visibility splays for traffic leaving the site. • The submission and approval of electric vehicle charging scheme.”

Officer report

Main planning effects

The revised access would improve residential amenity without materially increasing landscape harm, subject to visibility and charging conditions.

“The proposal amends plans to revise the access point which, amongst other things, delivers an improvement to residential amenity without negatively altering the scheme in other ways.”

“Subject to a Grampian Condition to secure suitable visibility, and a new condition securing an EV charging scheme; along with imposing all other relevant previous conditions, this application is considered to be acceptable and in accordance with relevant Development Plan and Emerging Local Plan policy.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The parish council and landscape officer made no comment, while the highway authority raised no objection subject to conditions.

“North Norfolk District Council Landscape Officer – No comment.”

Officer report

Who spoke

There were no public speakers, and the local member supported the scheme and endorsed better signage and passing places.

The committee vote

The committee resolved to approve the application, subject to the revised land ownership notice period expiring without new material planning considerations.

“That Application RV/25/2056 be APPROVED subject to the expiration of the revised land ownership certificate notice period (December 30th) expiring without raising any new material planning considerations, as well as conditions listed below:”

Minutes

Conditions imposed

The decision retained previous conditions apart from the time limit and added controls for visibility splays and an electric vehicle charging scheme.

“Imposition of conditions as per the previous approval (minus the time limit condition) together with two new conditions added to control / deliver the following:”

“The use of land within the blue line for visibility splays for traffic leaving the site. • The submission and approval of electric vehicle charging scheme.”

Minutes