Decision details

Item 15: Continued siting of 4 no. residential gypsy caravans without complying with Condition 3 of planning permission ref. 11/01875/FUL.

7 The Old Piggery, Firgrove Lane, North Boarhunt, Fareham

Case number: 18/01691/FUL

A verbal update was provided setting out additional wording to the last paragraph of the ‘Impact on character of area and neighbouring property’ section of the Report to read ‘…..`it is not considered that the units have an adverse impact on the character and appearance of the area’.

In response to question from Members, the Head of Strategic Planning clarified the four pitches proposed to be permitted were included as an allocation as part of the  Gypsy and Traveller Development Plan Document (DPD) to ensure the Council was fulfilling its requirements to meet the needs of the Gypsy and Traveller community.

During public participation, Geoffrey Wright (Boarhunt Parish Council) spoke in objection to the application and Joe Cunnane (agent) spoke in support of the application and answered Members’ questions thereon.

During public participation, Councillor Cutler spoke on this item as Ward Member.

In summary, Councillor Cutler stated that Boarhunt was a small rural village which had a disproportionate level of caravan pitches. There had been a long standing history of travelling show people which had never been a problem. However, Councillor Cutler advised that he had received more complaints about this particular site than any other site in his ward. There were illegally sited caravans on site (26 vans as at May 2017) and advice given was that enforcement action would not proceed until formal adoption of the Gypsy and Traveller DPD was in place. In conclusion, Councillor Cutler suggested that the decision on this application be deferred to align with the completion of the DPD.

At the conclusion of debate, the Committee agreed to grant permission for the reasons and subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the Report and the Update Sheet, subject to: fulllandscaping plan to be submitted to the Council within 6 months of the decision for approval with planting to be carried out by the next planting season; and a review of Condition 6 to ensure parking to be used for the parking of HGV’s only, with the precise wording delegated to the Head of Development Management in consultation with the Chairman.