Agenda item

To determine the application.

David Rowen presented the report and drew members attention to the update report that had been circulated.

Members received a presentation, in accordance with the public participation procedure, from Alexandra Patrick, the agent. Mrs Patrick stated the development offers much needed traveller accommodation, which she feels will positively contribute to the needs of the Council and furthermore the proposal’s design and scale is appropriate for a small self-build development. She advised that the applicant already resides on site so this is a retrospective application but they are a small family unit, they have a baby on the way, and asked members to support the officer’s recommendation.

Mrs Patrick stated that Mill Road, opposite to the east of the site, was a very similar application to this, which came to committee and was approved by members.

Members asked questions of Mrs Patrick as follows:

·         Councillor Gerstner referred to the proposal being retrospective and that the papers say the scheme has been carried out in its entirety already and asked if this is correct? Mrs Patrick responded that the family are already residing on site and the access has already been widened.

·         Councillor Imafidon asked how long the occupants have been on site and do they own the property? Mrs Patrick responded that they do own the property and referred to the applicant to how long they have been there. The applicant responded since the middle of February. Councillor Imafidon questioned why the application was not submitted at this point and has been undertaken retrospectively? Mrs Patrick responded that the applicant has been in the area a long time with their family, the family has expanded and they have had to move and reside in the nearest piece of land that was available to them. Councillor Connor reminded members that the same weight needs to be given to a retrospective application as any other application. Councillor Imafidon made the point that he has visited the site and it was very well kept and tidy and he was impressed by what he saw.

Members asked officers the following questions:

·         Councillor Mrs French asked when the Council is going to get its Gypsy and Traveller Policy as she has been asking for this for years? Matthew Leigh responded that he was asked about this prior to the committee but was unable to action it and would provide information to members in the next couple of days.

Members made comments, asked questions and received responses as follows:

·         Councillor Imafidon referred to a similar application to this considered a while ago where there was a young family on a site that did not have planning permission, it was initially deferred, it came back and it was approved as committee did not want to make a young family homeless. He stated that he will be supporting this application.

·         Councillor Mrs French stated that she agrees and fully supports the application.

Proposed by Councillor Mrs French, seconded by Councillor Imafidon and agreed that the application be GRANTED as per the officer’s recommendation.