Issue - meetings

Proposed use of land as a travellers caravan site consisting of 2 no. pitches for 1 no. mobile homes, 1 no. touring caravan, boundary treatment and car parking. Retention of existing shed and stables.

PERMIT

Mrs Stevens presented the item to Members.

The Committee received the following speakers:

Roger Gowlett – Parish Council (who spoke on this item and item numbers 6 and 7)

Angus Murdoch – Agent

Adrian Moss – Ward Councillor (who spoke on this item and item numbers 6 and 7)

Mrs Stevens responded to Members’ comments and questions.  With regards to the protection of bats and nesting birds, Mrs Stevens drew Members attention to the comments from the Council’s Environmental Officer within the report. Mrs Stevens also explained the detailed comments provided by West Sussex County Council’s Public Rights of Way team.  Mrs Stevens further explained that refuse vehicles were able to the use the single track road to access bins.

Mrs Stevens further confirmed that it would not be reasonable to set conditions which allowed the plot only to be used for a family member of the adjacent site, given the need for gypsy and traveller sites within the district.  The landscape corridor which would be contained within the emerging Local Plan, would relate to maintaining biodiversity and the site was not considered to be of significance in this regard.  Landscaping would enhance the site and gaps left for wildlife to move around.  Mrs Stevens also clarified that the plot was within flood zone one, and that Condition 15 referred to a lighting scheme.

In a vote Members agreed the recommendation.

Recommendation to Permit.