Agenda item

The Area Team Manager (East) presented the application to the Committee.

Public Speaker, Supporter – Spoke on:

·       Current permission only allowed touring camping pitches

·       Use existing toilets and access

·       Screening from trees and bushes

·       Footpath lighting is low level

·       Flood risk assessment included in application

·       Improved surface water drainage

Comments from Councillors during the debate included:

·       The application is retrospective

·       Camping pods look attractive

·       Dawlish Warren prone to flooding

·       Claim of economic benefits but this may be misleading

·       Balance between green areas of local residents and green areas used by tourists

·       Water drainage into critical area

·       Water pressure issues

·       Could use conditions for biodiversity, water pressure, annual registers

·       What is the difference between pods and static caravans?

·       Has there been a report from the fire safety officer?

·       Have the caravan got built in amenities such as toilets and sinks?

·       Gas cannisters have to be 7.5 meters away

·       Why is this retrospective and not enforced years ago?

In response to these comments Officers clarified the following:

·       Caravans defined under legislation as specific size

·       Not necessary to ask for report from fire safety officer as there are other health and safety regulations

·       Toilets and shower blocks are separate from caravans which are just for sleeping in

·       Planning enforcement may not have known until it was reported

It was proposed by Councillor P Parker and seconded by Councillor Hall that permission be granted as set out in the report.

A vote was taken. The result was 8 in favour, 1 against, and 2 abstained.

Resolved

Permission be granted subject to:

a)    the applicant entering into a S106 agreement to rescind the previous 2014 permission; and,

b)    the following conditions:

1.     The development hereby permitted shall be retained in accordance with the application form and the following approved plans/documents:

REASON: In order to ensure compliance with the approved drawings.

2.     Notwithstanding Section 55(2) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and/or the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) (or any order revoking and re-enacting that Order with or without modification), no additional exterior lighting shall be installed on the buildings or elsewhere on the site without the express prior approval in writing of  the Local Planning Authority.

REASON: To safeguard foraging paths for legally protected bats, including Greater Horseshoe Bats from the South Hams Special Area of Conservation which are known to be particularly light sensitive.

3.     The Planting Plan, as detailed within the approved document Ref -  SHF.201.218.ENZ.XX.00.DR.L.45.001 REV PL01 shall be implemented so that planting is carried out no later than the first planting season following this decision. All planted materials shall be maintained for five years and any trees or plants removed, dying, being damaged or becoming diseased within that period shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of similar size and species to those originally required to be planted unless the council gives written consent to any variation.

REASON: In the interests of biodiversity enhancement as required by policy EN8.

4.     The timber camping pods shall be occupied for holiday purposes only, occupied only between between1st March and 14th February the following year (inclusive) and shall not be occupied as a main place of residence. The owner shall maintain an up-to[1]date register of the detail of all occupiers, including their names and main home addresses, of the holiday units on the site and shall make it available for inspection at all reasonable times by the local planning authority.

REASON: To ensure the holiday accommodation is not used for permanent residential accommodation and is restricted to the same months as the wider park.

5.     Within 1 month from the date of this approval, an Operational Waste Management Plan shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The Operational Waste Management Plan shall specify details of:

·       A scheme for the recycling/disposal of onsite waste.

·       Waste collection schedule.

·       Waste storage and collection methods.

·       Waste storage capacity.

The approved Operational Waste Management Plan shall then be implemented as part of this scheme and remain operational for the lifetime of the development hereby approved.

REASON: To ensure that appropriate waste management arrangements are in place and to comply with Local Plan Policy EN8

6.     Within 1 month of the permission being issued, a detailed design for the surface water drainage system (up to the 1 in 100 year +45% allowance for climate change rainfall event) shall be submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Once agreed, drainage shall be installed in accordance and maintained thereafter.

REASON: The above conditions are required to ensure the proposed surface water drainage system will operate effectively and will not cause an increase in flood risk either on the site, adjacent land or downstream in line with SuDS for Devon Guidance (2017) and national policies, including NPPF and PPG.

7.     Within 1 month of the date of this permission, a scheme for electric car charging shall be submitted to and agreed inwriting by the Local Planning Authority, to include a timetable for implementation. Once installed, the charge points shall be maintained and retained thereafter.

REASON: To reduce reliance on fossil fuel based transport.