Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Service Delivery (copy enclosed, Members’ Update to be circulated)*.

A Members’ Update had been circulated prior to the meeting that detailed further representations from interested parties.  Following the Officer’s presentation, the Applicant, Mr Lingard, addressed the Committee.

A brief debate ensued where Members acknowledged the need for onsite security particularly in this location.  At this point Councillor W Stamp declared a pecuniary interest in this item of business as she had a boat on the site that she paid for, she then[1] left the meeting.

Councillor M W Helm then proposed that the application be approved contrary to the Officer’s recommendation.  This was seconded by Councillor A L Hull.

The Lead Specialist Place said that as an Authority the Council was sympathetic to the needs of businesses however it needed to be conscious of planning policies and previous decisions taken.  He advised that arguments for security were very common particularly in such a rural area and should be resisted unless there was evidence of a particular need. Other ways of delivering this service should be sought prior to considering a permanent residential property onsite.  Furthermore, this caravan was to allow for night-time cover which was already being delivered by a private company.

A discussion ensued around the concerns the Marina residents and Harbour Masters had with the private security company due to COVID.  Some Members felt that COVID should not be a factor as lockdown was easing whilst others felt there was a need for continued precautionary measures.  The Lead Specialist Place advised that if Members felt there was a continued concern in this regard they could look to granting a reduced period of permission from eighteen months to twelve.

Councillor M W Helm then put forward a revised proposal to approve the application contrary to the Officer’s recommendation but for a period of twelve months as opposed to eighteen as outlined in the report.  This was seconded by Councillor A L Hull.  The reason for approval was that taking into account the exceptional circumstances at the site, there was an additional risk which outweighed the conflict with the policy.

The Chairman then put the revised proposal to approve the application to the Committee.  Upon a vote being taken it was approved with conditions delegated to Officers in consultation with the Chairman.

RESOLVED that the application be APPROVED subject to conditions delegated to Officers in consultation with the Chairman.

Councillor V J Bell then vacated the chair and Councillor N J Skeens resumed his role as Chairman of the Committee.

IN THE CHAIR: COUNCILLOR N J SKEENS

At this point Councillor W Stamp returned to the meeting and Councillor M W Helm left the meeting for Item 6 as previously advised.