Agenda item

Some Members had visited the site the previous day.

The Planning Officer presented the report and outlined the reasons for refusal as outlined in the report.  The following points were noted:-

·         No concerns about the design of the building.

·         All tree works have been approved by the tree officers from PDNPA.

·         The key issue with this application is the policy principle.

·         There is a tree preservation order on the whole woodland.

The following spoke under the public participation at meetings scheme:

·         Jane Newman, Agent

It was noted that the Peak Forest Parish Council is in favour of this proposal.

Questions and Comments from Members:-

·         There was concern that granting this application would set a precedent for other areas of privately owned woodland.

·         The pathway to the site was discussed.  There is no intention for a formal route.  There is no need to fell trees to create access. Minimalist structure just for storage, no intention to install power etc.  Land was sold off by PDNPA and is now with the 3^rd owner, by refusing this application are the owners being deprived of the equipment to manage the woodland.

·         The location plan was discussed and it was felt that it does not reflect what the Members experienced on their site visit. The topography is a significant factor in the management of this woodland.  Have to get the balance correct between the policy principle and the desire to maintain and enhance the peak park.  Security is also a consideration. 

·         Page 18 of report, paragraph 30, sets out policy DME1 and the criteria were discussed.  Criteria (x) is not discussed in the officer’s report. Members are making a judgement as to whether the application is meeting the criteria.  Officers feel that the building is desirable but not functionally necessary.  The permanency of the building was discussed and its life expectancy predicted at around 10 years.

·         By not allowing storage on site we would be automatically insisting that whoever manages this wood drives to the site with a quad bike on a trailer instead of accessing the site on foot or by cycle which is contrary to some of our other policies.

·         Members were in favour of a condition limiting the time span of the building to the end of the management plan plus1 year and also a condition on not having a permanent track to the site.

·         Regarding the conditions the Agent requested that the application have one more year added on to the management plan.

·         It was felt that the requested building is reasonable but questioned the functionality of the quad bike being permanently on site and the impact on the soil structure by the quad bike.

A motion to approve the application, against officer recommendation, with the following conditions was moved, seconded, put to the vote and carried.

RESOLVED:

That the application be APPROVED subject to the following conditions:

1.    This permission shall be for a limited period, expiring on 31 May 2033. On or before that date, the building hereby permitted shall be permanently removed from the land and the site shall reinstated to its former condition, unless an application to extend the permission has been approved in writing by the National Park Authority.

2.    The development hereby permitted shall not be carried out otherwise than in complete accordance with the following approved plans, subject to the following conditions or modifications:

Location/Block Plan (plan reference PJ/PF/P8 Edition 01)

Proposed Elevations (plan reference PJ/PF/P1)

3.    Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning General Permitted Development Order 2015, (or any order revoking and re-enacting that order) the building hereby permitted shall not be used for any purpose other than for purposes related directly to forestry undertaken at Smalldale Plantation.

4.    There shall be no surfacing of the access or creation of tracks to the building hereby permitted.

5.    No services shall be laid to the building hereby permitted.