Agenda item

Ward: Chantry

Applicant: Miss Cara Stephanou

The Head of Development reported that this application sought permission for the stationing of four eco-pods in the southern section of the site, along with a three metre high toilet/shower block. A parking area for six cars for the campsite was also proposed. Each pod and the shower block would be connected to the carpark by a woodchip path.  Landscaping included additional native hedges on the north and west boundaries.

The application site was a paddock located in the South Downs National Park outside the build-up area of Storrington, west of Greyfriars Lane.  There was open countryside to the south, east and west, and two residential properties and Gerston Business Park to the north. The application site was to the south and west of the curtilage of one of the two residential properties, Gerston Cottage. The South Downs Way was some distance to the south.

Details of relevant government and council policies, as contained within the report, were noted by the Committee. The responses from statutory internal and external consultees, as contained within the report, were considered by the Committee.

Members were advised that since refusal of an application for two holiday cottages to the north side of Gerston Farm Bungalow in 2014 (SDNP/14/03409/FUL) both Horsham District Council and the South Downs National Park had published new visitor accommodation studies which identified a need for additional visitor accommodation, including camping facilities such as camping-pods, for those visiting the SDNP. There were also significant differences between the refused proposal and the current application.

The Parish Council objected to the application.  Thirteen letters, from eleven households, objecting to the proposal had been received. Since publication of the report an additional letter of objection had been received, which referred to 2014 refused application. Six letters of support had also been received.  Three members of the public spoke in objection to the application and a representative of the Parish Council also spoke in objection to it.  The applicant addressed the Committee in support of the proposal.  

Members considered the officer’s planning assessment which indicated that the key issues for consideration in determining the proposal were: the principle of development; landscape character of the site and surrounding area; ecology; its impact on the amenity of occupiers of adjoining land and properties; and parking and traffic conditions.

Members concluded that the proposal would support the rural economy and tourism.  It was noted that the pods were not permanent structures and could be removed should the business fail, and it was considered that impact on neighbouring amenity could be controlled through conditions.

In response to concerns that the amenities of adjacent residents could be compromised if the existing access through the business park to the north was used by campers, it was agreed that an additional condition to restrict use of the northern access would be added.

Members requested that in addition to Condition 6 requiring the submission of a landscaping scheme, an Informative should be submitted to the applicant encouraging additional measures to improve the ecological interest of the site, with suggested measures including further native planting, a wild flower meadow, a pond, and bird and bat boxes.

RESOLVED

That planning  application SDNP/17/05626/FUL be granted subject to the conditions as reported, with an additional condition to ensure that all access (other than access required by maintenance vehicles) to the camping pods by occupiers and visitors to the site shall at all times be via the proposed southern access only.