Decision details

Item 11:  Change of use of land from travelling showpersons permanent family plot to private residential garden for The Bungalow. 

The Bungalow, Southwick Road, North Boarhunt, Fareham

Case number: 18/01732/FUL

In response to questions from Members, the Head of Strategic Planning clarified that there was an identified need assessed as part of the Gypsy and Traveller Development Plan Document (DPD) requiring 15 pitches for gypsy and travellers and 24 pitches for travelling showpersons across the District.

It was noted that at present the Council had achieved the15 pitch target for gypsy and travellers but had a shortfall in the provision of the number of travelling showpersons plots of eight plots; this was based on the evidence carried out in the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment 2016. Therefore, there was a need for the site to be retained for this purpose and the application was recommended for refusal and contrary to Policies within the emerging Gypsy and Traveller DPD (Policy TR1) and adopted Local Plan Part 1 Policy CP5.

During public participation, Michael Knappett (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 raised the following points:

-       Supported the application as the Gypsy and Traveller DPD had not yet been formally adopted by the Council as Policy and was therefore unenforceable.

-       Local knowledge is that not all other pitches allocated for this purpose in Boarhunt are occupied by travelling showpersons suggesting there is no demand.

-       Applicant trying to sell property for 14 months as no longer residing in this District and property remains unoccupied but unable to be sold due to this restriction.

-       Suggested this is a virtual site which will never be able to be used by travelling showpersons as the owner would not allow its use so would not increase the Council’s pitch provision in any event.

At the conclusion of debate, the Committee agreed to grant permission for the following reason: The DPD has not yet been adopted and this site is not now available (as was proposed in the DPD).