Agenda item

The Principal Planning Officer referred to the updates document previously circulated.

The application is in accordance with Local Plan Policy S22 but does not comply with Policy WE6. There are a number of material considerations to be considered in the determination of the application, which should be weighed against the policy position: (i) 24 Gypsy and Traveller pitches are required as part of the NA1 development, Houghton Barton and can be provided offsite; (ii) the applicant is a reputable Housing Association and currently successfully manages the Haldon site; (iii) the site is located within open countryside, within an area with a ‘disturbed’ character by reason of the number of commercial operators nearby which means that it can more easily assimilate the development; (iv) having a 5 year supply of pitches is no guarantee of delivery; (vi) the site is in a sustainable location; and (vii) quality of the application which includes an additional 600 metre hedgerow, an area of meadow grassland, a play area, and a community area.

The consultation response has been received from the Environment Agency. The Agency has confirmed that the flood risk details are acceptable.

Public speaker, objector - spoke on behalf of the Clifford Estates objecting on the grounds of: the application does not accord with the Local Plan; the Council has a 5 year supply of gypsy and traveller pitches and the pitches are not required; contrary to Local Plan policies and the NPPF, particularly Policy WE6; there are no material grounds to outweigh the conflicts; its use as an alternative site for NA1 is not required or acceptable; it is not sustainable, the nearest bus stop is 1.5km away, the primary school 3km, and shops 4km, which would deter walking and encourage car use; it is incompatible with heavy plant businesses nearby which produce noise and dust during their operation; the site is inappropriate for the use, and an alternative should be found.

Comments from the Committee included: the site is not a suitable location for the use; it is a distance from facilities; noisy heavy plant businesses operate nearby; it should be used for transit pitches; the boundary hedge would not address the noise issue; there would be continuous complaints from the residents of the site about the noise form the neighbouring businesses; the businesses should be supported and prioritised for the economy of the area; the site is known to flood; the Council has a responsibility to provide pitches; and the site and area as a whole is suitable.

With regard to the site being used for transit pitches, the Business Manager advised that this was being progressed in partnership with Devon County Council so that the sites are located in the best transit locations. 

With regard to the noise issue from neighbouring business operations, the Principal Planning Officer advised that the accommodation would be required to be built to the standard set out in the submitted noise assessment that would result in acceptable internal noise level readings.

The Housing Enabling and Development Manager confirmed: that the application is for permanent and not transit pitches; the design and management of a transit site would be different to that of the current application; there is a need for transit sites and the Council is working with the County on this matter; despite the five year gypsy and traveller pitch supply there is a waiting list of 25 families; the permanent nature of the site requires the occupiers to pay rent to the applicant and they can leave the site to travel when they wish. Transit sites are for travellers passing through the area; and the Teignbridge Gypsy and Travellers Forum considers the site, which is a semi-rural location, to be appropriate.

It was proposed by Councillor Patch and seconded by Councillor Bradford that consideration be deferred pending discussions that the site be used for transit pitches. This was lost by 4 votes for, 13 against and 1 abstention.

It was proposed by Councillor McGregor and seconded by Councillor Wrigley that the application be approved as set out in the report circulated with the agenda. An amendment was proposed by Councillor Bullivant and seconded by Councillor Patch that consideration be deferred pending a site inspection. The amendment was carried.

Resolved

Consideration be deferred pending a Member site inspection.

11 Votes for, 7 against and 1 abstention)