One traveller pitch at Land North East Of Longacre, Meadow Road, Willingham

What was proposed

Permission in principle was sought for one traveller pitch with two mobile homes, two touring caravans, hardstanding and access improvements.

“The application seeks permission in principle to change the use of the land to use as a residential caravan site with total of one pitch comprising a total of two mobile homes and two touring caravans, together with the laying of hard standing and access improvements connecting to Meadow Road. The application site will serve the Gypsy/ Traveller community and will be a home base for one family; the Browns.”

“The application seeks permission in principle for one gypsy and traveller pitch comprising 2 mobile homes, 2 touring caravans and associated works.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The site is agricultural land outside Willingham’s development framework, surrounded by fields and accessed from Meadow Road.

“The application site is located outside of the development framework of Willingham. It is not located within the Green Belt nor does it benefit from any other land designation. To the south of the site is Meadow Drove, to the north, east and west of the site are agricultural fields. The existing use of the site is agricultural land. 3. The proposal…”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The parish council objected, highways, environmental health and drainage officers raised no objection, and the ecology officer requested further ecological information.

“Historically object to any applications that are proposed North of Meadow Road • The proposed development is outside village envelope • Proposed development is in open green space • There is an injunction in place from SCDC prohibiting any such development • Willingham is already oversubscribed with traveller pitches • The site owned by the applicant is significantly larger than the application site and should permission be granted, the Parish Council would be concerned…”

“Insufficient ecological information provided. Submission of a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal is required. Environmental Health – No Objection…”

Officer report

Who spoke

A representative speaking for Willingham Parish Council addressed the committee in objection to the application.

What members considered

Members considered sustainability, the injunction, parish concerns, pitch supply, the proposal’s scale and the later technical details stage.

“During debate the Committee considered the following issues: i. Whether the site was in a sustainable location. ii. The injunction covered the land included in this planning application; any development would require express planning permission. iii. Noted the concerns raised by the Parish Council but each planning application was determined on its own merits. iv. There was a lack of a 5-year land supply for gypsy and traveller pitches. v.”

“The Area Development Manager summarised the officer recommendation of approval.”

Minutes

The committee vote

Six members voted in favour and one voted against approving the application for permission in principle.

“By 6 votes in favour (Cllrs Anna Bradnam, Peter Fane, Corinne Garvie, Tumi Hawkins, Lisa Redrup, Peter Sandford) and 1 vote against (Cllr Richard Williams), the Committee approved the application for Permission in Principle.”

Minutes