Ten-pitch traveller site at Land Adjacent To Bank Road, Pilning

What was proposed

The application sought to remove the named-occupant and restoration conditions and allow up to ten caravans on the site.

“It is not seen as acceptable to now develop the site for up to ten homes given this historic planning decision and appeal. It is not felt to be appropriate to remove these former planning conditions. This proposal undermines trust locally in the planning process, and proposes to more than double the size of the site within the Green Belt, and within flood zone 3 – nearby residential requests for planning have been refused on the same grounds.”

“Condition 4 states that “No more than four caravans and three tow-a-vans, shall be kept or stationed on the site at any one time.” The application seeks to amend this condition to allow for ten caravans to be on the site.”

Officer report

The site

The site is outside Pilning’s settlement boundary, directly beside it, and lies within the Green Belt and Flood Zone 3.

“The application site is located outside of the settlement boundary of Pilning, though the south west boundary directly abuts it. It is located within Flood Zone 3 and the Green Belt.”

“Planning permission was granted in 2001 for the continued use of a personalised Gypsy Caravan Site, subject to conditions (ref: PT01/0196/RVC). The conditions on the application were appealed and this appeal was dismissed.”

Officer report

Earlier planning decisions

The site has a history of permissions, refusals, withdrawals and appeals concerning gypsy caravan use, named occupants and additional caravans.

“P91/1943 - Use of the land as a gypsy caravan site for 3 families; installation of septic tank. (In accordance with additional details received by the council on 12TH august 1991) – Refused 21 st August 1991. Appeal dismissed 23 rd…”

“PT01/0196/RVC - Relaxation of condition 02 (The residential use hereby permitted shall be discontinued and the caravans, vehicles, trailers, portacabins and structures including concrete plinths, street lights hereby approved permanently removed from the site, within 2 years of the date of this decision or upon the vacation of the site by the above-named family, whichever is the sooner) on Planning Reference No. PT00/1427/RTC. – Permitted 10 th May 2001”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Transport and flood authorities raised no objection subject to conditions, while the landscape response requested protection and additional planting.

“Other Consultees Sustainable Transport – No objection, subject to conditions. Landscape Architect – Outline scheme submitted showing the retention of existing perimeter planting - No information has been submitted regarding the root protection zones and how they will protected from damage during the layout of the hard surfacing - Defer to Tree Officer for what protective measures should be agreed - A detailed scheme for the proposed new planting should be agreed as a…”

“OFFTEM Lead Local Flood Authority – No objection, subject to conditions…”

Officer report

Objections and concerns

The parish council and residents objected over flooding, the Green Belt, traffic, drainage, site capacity, noise, services and compliance with existing conditions.

“Severn Beach and Pilning Parish Council Object to the proposed development for the following reasons; - Designated Green Belt - In Flood Zone 3 - NPPF prohibits vulnerable uses such as caravan sites in this zone - If SGC is minded to permit, would like the following taken into consideration - No building or structure adjacent to the Pill - Layout needs to be reconfigured to provide the access to the Pill for the purposes of maintenance - Opportunity should be taken to…”

“Local Residents 3 letters of objection received, raising the following points; - Concerns over additional noise, traffic and demands on water and sanitation that these changes might entail - Current set up is fine - More than doubling the size of the existing site capacity is not without impact on the community at large - Several previous requests have been made and rejected - Should note the site are already breaching their conditions - Any further increase in traffic…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The parish council, neighbourhood plan steering group and ward councillor raised concerns about planning history, flooding, access, overdevelopment and local impacts.

Members’ discussion

Members considered planning history, Green Belt and grey belt matters, unmet need, the emerging neighbourhood plan, services, highways, drainage, flooding and outbuildings.

“Analysis of Green Belt issues and whether the site meets the definition of `Grey Belt’ and whether there is a demonstrable unmet need for the type of development proposed.”

“- Pilning and Severn Beach does not yet have a made Neighbourhood plan. Information taken from the Web site clarifies that there is an aim to publicise and hold a referendum on the Neighbourhood plan in January/February 2026”

Minutes

The vote and decision

Members voted 6:2:0 to grant planning permission, subject to the conditions set out in the report.

“Councillor Tony Williams moved that planning permission be granted subject to the conditions set out within the report.”

“RESOLVED that planning permission be granted subject to the conditions set out within the reportMeeting closed 2.20pm…”

Minutes