Agenda item

Change of use of land to tourist accommodation including siting of  2 no. shepherd's huts and associated works.

PERMIT

Mr Thomas presented the report to Committee. He drew the Committee’s attention to the Agenda Update Sheet which included; an additional comment from the CDC Tree Officer and additional conditions 12, 13 and 14.

Mr Thomas outlined the site location and explained the site was located within the Parish of West Wittering, approximately 1.6km from the village.

The Committee was shown a proposed site plan, Mr Thomas drew the Committee’s attention to the proposed access arrangements and highlighted where the shepherds huts would be located. He explained the field was well screened and would have minimal visual impact.

Mr Thomas explained the proposed huts were constructed on site to a high development standard. The Committee were shown photos of the shepherds huts.

The following representations were received;

Cllr Bill Buckland – West Wittering Parish Council

Dr Peter Collinson – Objector

Ms Joanne Gilhooly – Objector

Mr Chris Aston – Supporters

Mrs Kerry Simmons – Applicant

Before opening the discussion, the Chairman used their discretion to read out a statement from Cllr Barrett in his absence.

Officers responded to Members comments and questions as follows;

In response to concerns regarding the boundary between the site and field; Mr Thomas explained there was a small post and rail fence, but an additional condition could be included to ensure the whole site was enclosed. Committee members asked that in addition to fencing, hedgerow planting could also be incorporated, Mr Thomas agreed this was not unreasonable and could be included as part of the condition.

In response to concerns that further shepherds huts would be brought on to the site; Mr Thomas informed the Committee that Condition 9 would limit the number of huts allowed on the site to two, it would also prevent tented and any other form of accommodation from being brought on to the site. 

On the matter of policy; Mr Thomas confirmed the NPPF carried more weight than the Village Design Statement, although it was a material consideration.

On the matter of future subdivision of the field; Mr Thomas explained that any change of use or subdivision would require a separate planning application.

With regards to visitors using the wider field; Ms Stevens explained the wider field was not part of the application. As discussed, an additional condition to include more fencing  and hedge on the boundary of the application site would assist in preventing visitors from accessing the wider field, an informative could be included to remind the applicant visitors should not access the wider field.

In response to concerns regarding the use of fire pits and BBQ’s; Ms Stevens advised an additional condition could be included, requiring the applicant to submit a detailed management plan which would address the use of equipment such as bbqs and firepits and ensure they would be safely managed. The management plan would also be expected to include ‘quiet hours’ to limit impact from noise and late nights.

On the matter of nitrate mitigation; Mr Thomas explained there was no requirement for nitrate mitigation. Foul water would be collected in waste tanks which would be pumped to a central tank (used by the main house) where it would be tankered away.

Following a vote, the Committee voted in favour of the report recommendation for to Permit.

Resolved; permit, subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report; along with the additional conditions 12, 13 and 14 detailed in the Agenda Update Sheet and the condition to fence and hedge the site, the condition to produce a management plan and an informative regarding the wider use of the field.

*Members took a five-minute break

*Cllr Fowler left the meeting at 3.25pm