Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance (copy enclosed, Members’ Update to be circulated)*.

Following the Officer’s presentation, the Lead Specialist Place informed the Committee of the procedure rules relating to deferred applications.  Members were informed that due to there being no prior discussion on this deferral no one would be excluded from commenting on the application.

The Applicant, Chris Powdrill, then addressed the Committee.

Councillor B E Harker, commenting on the application said that the site had the fastest broadband within Heybridge, that over supply of this type of development was not a planning reason for refusal and that the site had the lowest flood risk amongst those along the Blackwater. In addition, he said that the site would not cause harm to the surrounding area, was sustainable, and would pass a sequential test, in addition to not being contrary to the Local Development Plan (LDP) and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

Councillor B E Harker then proposed that the application be approved.

The Lead Specialist Place reminded Members that the Council’s policies, such as the LDP and NPPF, were there to protect the area, and applications which deviated from these were required to evidence a need for the development.  It was noted that the applicant had not done this.  Officers considered the site a vulnerable area that was prone to flood risk, in close proximity to sewage works and the development would be detrimental to the character of the area.

A lengthy discussion ensued with Members commented on the fact there had been no flooding since 1953 and there were no obvious odours emanating from the site. The development would not be detrimental to the character of the area and would result in increased tourism and revenue.  In addition, if the applicant was prepared to spend over £2 million developing the site, there was a need for the development.

Councillor A M Beale advised the Committee that she had previously used the facilities at the site and would second Councillor B E Harker’s proposal.

In response to further questions from the Committee the Lead Specialist Place confirmed that under legislation a caravan is defined by size and scale and that the site was currently a play area. 

The Chairman put the proposal of approval, contrary to the Officer’s recommendation, to the Committee and upon a vote being taken the application was approved.

RESOLVED that the application be APPROVED subject to the following condition:

1.         The application site is considered to be located within a sustainable location and the proposal is not considered to result in detrimental harm to the intrinsic beauty, character and appearance of the site or the surrounding area. Furthermore, it is considered that the proposal has passed the Sequential Test as this type of development can only be situated within a coastal location and therefore the proposal can be found acceptable from a flood risk perspective. In addition, Members drew on their local knowledge of the site and considered there to be a limited risk of odours from the adjacent sewage treatment works and considered that any possible harm could be overcome by a condition. Overall, the proposal is in accordance with policies S1, S7, S8, D1, D2, D5 and E5 of the approved Maldon District Local Development Plan and the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.