Three holiday huts at Saturdays Lane, Kingskerswell

The site and surroundings

The rural site is a former sand school in a landscape area and strategic open break, accessed from Saturday’s Lane and enclosed by hedges.

“The application site is located within the southern part of the District within an area of rural land between Kingskerswell and Edinswell (Torquay). The site is within the Area of Great Landscape Value and Strategic and Local Open Break as designated within the current Local Plan. It is accessed from the adjacent Saturday’s Lane. The site is situated along a high point of a steeply slopping valley. 3.2.”

“The site is approximately 0.4 acres in size with an existing lawful use as a sand school compromising a rectangular sand ring, and a parking/turning area. It is accessed via existing gates in the northeast corner. More recently, the site featured 6-8 huts which have been stored on the land but have since been removed.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission because the proposal complied with planning policies and would not cause unacceptable landscape, amenity, ecology, drainage or highway effects with conditions.

“Given that only one unit is proposed it is considered that holiday use can be appropriately managed and secured via a condition, where potential enforcement via condition on a site of this scale would be more effective compared to enforcement via any potential legal agreement. In this instance, the scale of the proposal offers a sufficient material planning consideration to justify deviation from the strict requirement of the policy in relation to the legal agreement. 3.19.”

“It is noted that the Ecology Report sets out further small-scale enhancements in respect of provision of bird boxes, thus compliance with the report is recommended to be secured via condition. Bearing all the above in mind, the proposal is considered acceptable in respect of impact on ecology and biodiversity. Land drainage/flood risk 3.42.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Council and county consultees raised no objections subject to conditions covering biodiversity, lighting, drainage, highways, minerals and ecology.

“CONSULTEES TDC Biodiversity Officer • Condition requested to limit external lighting due to site’s location in the South Hams SAC Landscape Connectivity Zone. • No impact from light spill on northern and eastern hedges as no windows proposed.”

“Site is within great crested newt zone but there are no ponds nearby the proposal would not negatively impact the surrounding hedges which maybe used by newts as habitat. • Site is within cirl bunting breeding territory zone but the proposal would have a minimal negative impact and mat result un increase in cirl bunting foraging habitat. • Recommended compliance with the ecology report. • BNG proposals are appropriate and should be secured via appropriate conditions.”

Officer report

Objections from residents

Twelve objection letters raised concerns about countryside and landscape harm, access, wildlife, noise, drainage, contamination, waste, screening and planning control.

“No objection. REPRESENTATIONS 6.1. 12 letters of objection have been received which have raised the following planning related concerns (as summarised): • Proposal is inappropriate development in the countryside and AGLV inconsistent with the agricultural character of the site. • Proposal would be harmful to landscape and visual amenities due to its prominent position. • Access via Saturdays Lane is unsuitable due to narrowness, lack of lighting and footways.”

“There is already ample supply for holiday accommodation. • Proposal would create overlooking and noise disturbance. • Wildlife and livestock would be impacted. • Concerns over how wastewater would be treated. • Concerns over lack of onsite management or supervision. • Lack of services and amenities in the area. • Other proposals for residential and leisure uses have been refused planning permission in the area. • Proposed screening would be ineffective.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The registered objector withdrew after reading the agenda report, and the Senior Planning Officer presented the application.

The committee vote

Councillor Bullivant proposed permission, Councillor Hall seconded it, and the committee agreed unanimously.

“It was proposed by Councillor Bullivant, seconded by Councillor Hall and unanimously…”

Minutes