Five traveller pitches at The Haven, Cleeve Road, Middle Littleton

What was proposed

The application sought retrospective permission for five traveller pitches, each with a mobile home, touring caravan, landscaping and utility building.

“Planning Ref: Site: Ward Councillor Recommendation W/24/02229/FUL The Haven Cleeve Road Middle Littleton WR11 8JR Cllr Judith Ciotti Cllr Hannah Robson Approval…”

“Proposal: Retrospective Change of use of the land from Agriculture to create 5 pitches for Gypsy / Traveller occupation. Siting of one mobile home and one touring caravan on each plot with associated hard and soft landscaping. Erection of single storey utility block / storage building to each plot.”

Officer report

The site

The site was The Haven on Cleeve Road in Middle Littleton, within the North and Middle Littleton parish area.

“W/24/02229/FUL. The Haven, Cleeve Road, Middle Littleton, WR11 8JR. Retrospective Change of use of the land from Agriculture to create 5 pitches for Gypsy / Traveller occupation. Siting of one mobile home and one touring caravan on each plot with associated hard and soft landscaping. Erection of single storey utility block / storage building to each plot. [name withheld]…”

“(Councillor J Haywood, Chairman North and Middle Littleton Parish Council, spoke in objection to this application.)”

Minutes

Concerns raised

Representations raised concerns about green space, wildlife corridors, biodiversity, further retrospective development, and the applicant’s other sites.

“Mandatory green space has not been requested. • Wildlife corridors are required and there are no plans explaining the addition of biodiversity. • Traveller sites should contribute to these issues the same way as normal house builders.”

“Rob Rochell - Berona, Cleeve Prior, Evesham, WR11 8JR • [name withheld] is developing other sites in Stratford-upon-Avon District. • I informed the Council when the caravans entered the site but no action was taken. • Allowing the application will result in the applicant developing further sites with retrospective applications.”

Officer report

Officer assessment

The assessment said green space and biodiversity net gain were not required, but proposed landscaping and biodiversity enhancement conditions.

“Policy SWDP 17 does not require green space for this type of development. However, the policy does require consideration of any significant visual landscape impacts and whether these can be mitigated. Comment on the landscaping is included in the Committee Report and further detail requiring the submission of a landscaping scheme is recommended with Condition 4.”

“As set out in the Committee Report, the requirement to provide Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is exempt. Under section 73A and the Biodiversity Gain Requirements (Exemptions) Regulations, 2024, BNG does not apply to retrospective applications. However, recommended Condition 6 is for biodiversity enhancement measures.”

Officer report

Lighting and drainage

Existing access lighting was considered unacceptable in the rural setting, while questions concerned landscaping, drainage and biodiversity net gain.

“The Case Officer has recently been made aware that lighting columns have been installed along the access driveway since visiting the site for this application. These are not considered acceptable in this rural location and therefore, condition 5 is proposed to be amended below:”

“Within 3 months of the date of this planning permission, the existing lighting columns along the access driveway shall be removed and details of any external lighting to be provided in association with the development shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority. The details shall include times when the external lighting will not be switched on. Only external lighting in accordance with approved details shall be provided on the application site.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The parish council chairman and an objector spoke against approval, while the applicant spoke in support.

Committee discussion

Members discussed the site’s landscaping, policy compliance, lighting, screening, drainage, flooding, biodiversity and whether a personal family condition could be imposed.

“The local member addressed the committee. Councillor J Ciotti believed that the application was contrary to SWDP2 and would be backland development. She stated that there was sufficient supply of gypsy traveller pitches within the ward. She noted concern expressed by objectors for the impact to the surface water runoff to the east of the site which is prone to being very wet and flooding.”

“Councillor D B Birch agreed that the applicant appeared to have done a good job of developing the site and was happy to support the application. Councillor Goodge agreed and suggested that the condition regarding the lighting be amended to cover the illumination, lighting levels and spill only.”

Minutes

The decision

The committee delegated authority to grant permission subject to conditions, with condition five revised by agreement between two councillors.

“PC. To delegate authority to the Director of Planning and Infrastructure to grant planning permission subject to the planning conditions listed below, with the exception of condition five which is to be revised with the agreement of Councillors A L Dyke and M S Goodge and allowing for any subsequent amendments to the conditions as required by the Director of Planning and Infrastructure.”

Minutes