Agenda item

The Planning Officer presented the report and outlined the reasons for refusal as detailed in the report. 

Since the publication of the report a revised landscape assessment and strategy has been received which, due to time constraints, has not yet been consulted on. An updated response has also been received from the Environment Agency who have removed their objections to this application. The Applicant has also confirmed that the main business of the farm would remain as agriculture and therefore this application is an enhancement/diversification to farms primary business.

The following spoke under the public participation at meetings scheme:

·         Kate Stanyon – Objector

·         Ed Proctor – Objector

·         Angela Darlington – Castleton Parish Council - Objector

·         Joe Oldfield – Agent

Some Members had visited the site the previous day.

The following points were discussed:

·         The site is outside of the Castleton conservation area.

·         Over 200 representations have been received regarding this application which mainly cover the principal of the development and the impact on the conservation area.

·         Regarding the flood risk the area of the site is in Zone 3b, which is a functional flood plain.

·         The area covered by the application is slightly larger than the guidance which is up to a maximum of 41 pitches, this application is for 20-30 pitches.

·         The BNG of this development is 17.23% which is in excess of the guidelines.

·         It was noted that the local community is overwhelmingly opposed to this development and has set out clear reasoning why.

·         It was acknowledged that the village of Castleton is experiencing a number of visitor pressures.

·         The Agent requested that this application be deferred to a future meeting to allow for new information to be included and digested.  This information is almost ready and covers landscaping, addressing planning policy and farm diversification and the economic benefits and this information has not been considered by the Planning Officer.

·         Currently the campsite is operating on 60 days permissive development.

·         There were concerns that Members were asking to approve an application which  was beyond the Castleton boundary and into the open land. 

·         Members felt that the size and scale of the vehicles provide a visual and landscape intrusion and the current landscaping proposal is not sufficient to mask the development.  The current situation contains the camping to 60 days across the summer months when the trees are in leaf.

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

RESOLVED:

That the application be REFUSED for the following reasons:

12:45pm the meeting adjourned for a short break and reconvened at 13:15pm