Agenda item

Proposal Description: Change of use of land for the formation of 1 Gypsy/Traveller Pitch comprising the siting of 1 no. Mobile Home, and 1 No. touring Caravan, alongside the erection of 1 no. Utility Building.

The application was introduced. Members were referred to the update sheet, which provided additional information regarding the application, including an amendment to the text in paragraph 2 of 'Site Description', an amendment to the first bullet point of 'Proposal', an additional paragraph to be added to 'Proposal', and one further public representation received. These were set out in full on the update sheet.

The update sheet also stated that one additional condition was proposed: Number. 13. To read that: No overnight accommodation of any sort shall occur within the dayroom/utility building (J004078-DD-04-B). Reason: To define the extent of this planning permission and to prevent more intensive use of the site.

In addition, the case officer provided a verbal update and provided further information that evidence had been received showing payment for nutrient neutrality credits was made recently, but confirmation was pending. Additionally, condition 4B on page 32 should read "within three months from issuing the decision" instead of "prior to full occupation."

During public participation, Thiruselvan Moodley spoke in objection to the application. Councillor Cllr Maggie Hill on behalf of Colden Common Parish Council spoke in objection to the application.

Cllr Susan Cook spoke as a ward member and expressed several points on behalf of residents which could be summarised as follows.

1.    She highlighted that the static home was brought to the site in November 2022, causing disruption to Colden Common and Twyford.

2.    She expressed disappointment that the retrospective nature of the application was not clearly stated in the proposal description.

3.    She questioned whether enforcement action would be taken to ensure the removal of storage sheds and dog kennels which were not proposed to be retained.

4.    Concerns were raised regarding flooding and drainage, noting that neighbouring properties had experienced issues since a ditch on the applicant's land was filled.

5.    She felt that there was a lack of detail regarding sustainable drainage in the officer’s report and questioned the appropriateness of a three-month window to resolve these issues.

6.    She supported the proposed condition regarding the prohibition of external lighting.

7.    She raised concerns regarding nutrient neutrality, noting there was no evidence that credits had been reserved with Eastleigh Borough Council despite the applicant already occupying the site. She sought clarification on the enforcement process if the relevant credits were not purchased within three months.

8.    She referenced planning policy which stated there should not be an over-concentration of such uses in one area and suggested this was being ignored.

9.    She felt that the application should have been rejected at the outset but urged the committee to ensure all conditions were strictly enforced if permission was granted.

The committee proceeded to ask questions and debate the application, during discussion on the item the committee received advice from the Legal Adviser regarding a number of matters including the treatment of retrospective planning applications, the planning policy definition for Gypsies, Travellers, and travelling showmen, the 5-year supply of sites and the definition of a caravan and a mobile home

RESOLVED

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.