Agenda item

New vehicular access, new entrance wall, new replacement visitor centre, car parking and change to existing outbuilding, replacement admissions facility and gift shop.

The Committee considered a report of the Senior Planning Officer regarding the provision of a new vehicular access, new replacement visitors centre, car parking and change to existing outbuilding, replacement admissions facility and gift shop at Tweddle Farm, Fillpoke Lane, Blackhall (for copy see file of Minutes).

The Senior Planning Officer gave a detailed presentation on the application which included photographs of the site.  Members had visited the site the previous day and were familiar with the location and setting.

Mr Blackwood, local resident, objected to the application.  He presented a history of problems which had been encountered and previous breaches of planning conditions.  The approach road was signed as being unsuitable for wide vehicles, but could have up to 20 coaches a day travelling along it.

Mr Scorer, the applicant, addressed the Committee.  He informed the Committee that the facility was established in 2004 and was a well established visitor attraction.  The proposed car park move would increase the number of parking spaces available and would vastly improve vehicle movements.  The new car park and entrance would enhance both highway safety and the safety of pedestrian movement from the car park to the admissions area.

The Senior Planning Officer informed the Committee that he was aware of some previous planning breaches at this site, however, these had never reached a level where enforcement action needed to be taken.

The Principal DM Engineer (Highways) informed the Committee that there had been no previous reports of concerns regarding the access road to the site, adding that passing places had previously been created along the road to improve access.  There were no objections to the application on highways issues.  The signs at the end of the road were of an advisory nature.

Resolved:

That the application be approved, subject to the conditions detailed in the recommendations in the report.