CHANGE OF USE TO A GYPSY CARAVAN SITE & ASSOCIATED DEVELOPMENTS
Location: Part of Land HW97497, Wyre Piddle By Pass, Wyre Piddle, Pershore
View location on mapApplication Type: Change of use
Parish: Hill & Moor
Ward: Pinvin
Application Received: 26 September 2003
Statutory Start Date: 6 October 2003
Consultation Period From:
Consultation Period End: 30 October 2003
Decision Date: 20 November 2003
Case Officer: Gill Collin
Status: Appeal Decided
Decision: Refused - Change of Use
This decision is subject to the following conditions:
The land lies in the open countryside outside any defined settlement as defined in the Wychavon District Local Plan. There is a presumption against development in this location and the proposed development is contrary to the countryside protection policies of the Wychavon District Local Plan.
It is considered that the development would be intrusive and an alien feature in the open countryside that could not be satisfactorily assimilated into the surrounding landscape. It does not benefit from landscaping or mature screening, nor does the land form part of a larger agricultural holding. There are no buildings on the site and the development would be unduly prominent as an exposed rural site. Both the short and long views of the land mean that it is unacceptable for the proposed use. The location of the land, immediately adjacent to the principal A44 Wyre Piddle by-pass road, is also a contributing factor.
The Council is concerned about the scale and visual impact of the proposed development and its lack of proximity to necessary facilities and services. Further the Council is concerned that to allow the proposed development on the land would set a precedent for further similar unsatisfactory developments.
The proposed development is therefore contrary to the approved Worcestershire County Structure Plan policies CTC1, D10, D17, D18, SD8, adopted Wychavon District Local Plan policies BC1, H17 and H18 which deals specially with gypsy caravan site provision and Wychavon District Local Plan Review (Revised Deposit - June 2003) policies GD1, GD2, ENV1, ECON7 and Policies COM6 and COM7 which deal specifically with gypsy caravan site provision.
Policy H18 of the adopted Wychavon District Local Plan and Policies COM6 and COM7 of the Wychavon District Local Plan Review (Revised Deposit - June 2003) refer to the provision of gypsy caravan sites and state that new sites or extensions to existing sites will only be permitted where it can be demonstrated that a genuine need for additional provision exists to accommodate gypsies residing in or with clear ties to the District. The Council is not satisfied that the Applicants clear ties to the District other than as part of their lifestyle of travelling around the country in search of casual, temporary employment.
The application site is within an area rich in archaeological remains. In the absence of an archaeological evaluation it is not possible to define the presence, extent and significance of the archaeological deposits, or assess the harm that may be caused to the archaeological heritage of the area. The proposal is therefore contrary to County Structure Plan Policy CTC17, adopted Local Plan Policy CB18 and Policy ENV9A of the Local Plan Review - Revised Deposit.
On behalf of B Webb & Other Applicants
c/o Agent
Mr B Cox
South West Law (Legal Services in the Community) Ltd
1 Hide Market
West Street
BRISTOL
Note: The map marker shows the approximate centre of the application postcode, if available, or the nearest geocoded location from the address. The actual location may be slightly different.