Agenda item

Full Application - Change of use of land from touring plots and play area to the stationing of holiday lodges/static caravans and reconfiguration of play area at Ashbourne Heights Caravan Park, Ashbourne Road, Fenny Bentley (NP/DDD/0125/0076/GG)

Meeting of Planning Committee, Friday 18th July 2025 10.00 am (Item 72/25)

Minutes:

G Priestley returned to the meeting.

Some Members had visited the site the previous day.

The Planning Officer presented the report and outlined the reasons for approval as set out in the report. The Officer informed Members that the proposal was an exception to the normal presumption against lodges and static caravans. Approval is recommended by virtue of the well-established and well-screened nature of this part of the site, the fact that the units will replace a higher number of seasonal touring pitches and the proposals for landscape and biodiversity enhancement.

Members expressed some concerns about over development and poor design of the site in the past and the loss of amenity of a play area as a result of the proposal. There were further concerns about the level of occupancy of the units, safety around the bioswale and the amount of Bio Diversity Net Gain which will be conditioned but not monitored. The Planning Officer sought to explain that there would not be ‘significant’ biodiversity enhancement and 30 30-year monitoring would not be required. The Planning Officer also explained that there were limits of planning control on the internal layout of a caravan site with these matters largely controlled by the site licence. It was agreed that an informative would be added regarding safety measures in relation to the bioswale.

A motion to approve the application was moved, seconded, put to the vote and carried.

RESOLVED:

That the application be APPROVED subject to the following conditions with additional advisory note re safety measures:

1. Statutory 3 year commencement.

2. In accordance with submitted plans and specifications.

3. Occupancy to be short stay holiday accommodation only, maximum 28 days per person per calendar year, no occupancy permitted 16 January to 1 March in each calendar year.

4. Submit details of the design and external appearance, including colour of the static caravans and lodges.

5. Submit and implement a Landscape and Ecological Management Plan (LEMP)

6. Submit and implement a woodland management plan.

7. Implementation of statutory biodiversity net gain plan.

8. Development in accordance with the Method Statement and Arboricultural Impact Assessment submitted by Corsican Associates CA Ref: CA21/054 05-12-2024.

9. Implementation of landscape plan within first planting season following the siting or first occupation of any caravan or lodge.

10. Vegetation removal and dismantling of any built structures shall be completed outside the main bird nesting season

11. If any trees with bat roost potential require remedial works or felling, then a pre-works survey shall be completed

12. No external lighting other than in accordance with approved details and lighting mitigation scheme.

13. Detailed design and associated management and maintenance plan of the surface water drainage for the site.

14. Detailed assessment to demonstrate that the proposed destination for surface water accords with the drainage hierarchy

15. Scheme of Archaeological Works

16. Parking plan to be approved and implemented

17. Space provided for the parking of visitor’s vehicles, laid out, surfaced and maintained. Implementation of EV charging.

18. Submit and implement a travel plan

19. Provide replacement play facility in accordance with details and time scale to be approved.

Supporting documents: