Agenda item

Change of use of field to provide 20no. pitches for touring caravans and camping and formation of access track

The Committee considered a report of the Principal Planning Officer regarding an application for the change of use of field to provide 20no. pitches for touring caravans and camping and formation of access track (for copy see file of Minutes).

A Caines (Principal Planning Officer) gave a detailed presentation on the application which included photographs of the site.

In presenting the report the Officer advised of a proposed amendment to condition 3 which would ensure that no static caravans were allowed on the site.

Mr Stabler, applicant stated that since purchasing the property 9 years ago he had developed a busy thriving business, but to ensure its viability in the current economic climate he needed to attract new trade.

Currently the site attracted people to the surrounding countryside and local attractions, and the proposals to increase the number of caravans to 20 would encourage more visitors to the Teesdale area.

Mr Stabler respected the tranquil nature of the village and had amended the application in order to reduce the visual impact of the site.

To conclude he stated that the pub had been in the village for over 200 years and the proposals would promote tourism and support local employment without causing inconvenience to neighbours.

Councillor Boyes referred to a comment made by an objector that the site was unmanned outside the opening hours of the pub. Mr Stabler assured the Member that there was someone living in the premises at all times and that he was on site between the hours of 9am and 11pm, 6 days a week. With this assurance, and as the number of pitches had been reduced significantly Councillor Boyes considered the proposals to be acceptable.

Councillor Holland noted that there were no residents in attendance to make representations against the application, or comments from the local Member.

With regard to the impact on the surrounding landscape Councillor Davison noted that the screening issues had now been overcome and had been addressed by condition.

Following discussion it was Resolved:

That the application be approved subject to the conditions outlined in the report and to condition 3 being amended to read as follows:-

‘3.        Notwithstanding the provisions of Class A and B of Part 5 Schedule 2 of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (or in any Statutory Instrument revoking or re-enacting that Order with or without modification) the number of caravans or motorhomes on the site shall not exceed 20 at any one time. There shall be no static caravans on the site.’