Agenda item

Copies of the following papers attached:-

There had been circulated copies of the request from Thomas and Pamela Atkinson, Flatt Farm, Newcastleton, Roxburghshire for review of refusal of the planning application in respect of the change of use of land (optional locations) to Site 2 No glamping units for holiday let on land North West, East and South East of Flatt Farmhouse, Newcastleton.  The supporting papers included the Notice of Review; Decision Notice; Officer’s Report; papers referred to in the officer’s report; consultations; and a list of relevant policies.  Members’ attention was drawn to new evidence submitted with the Notice of Review documentation in the form of letters of support from neighbours and local businesses. They concluded that under the terms of Section 43B of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 this evidence could be referred to in the determination of the review.  In a lengthy discussion Members were broadly supportive of the proposals which represented an expansion of an existing farm diversification business based on tourism.  There were views expressed about there being insufficient information with the application to enable a full assessment of the impacts of the development but Members concluded that their concerns could be addressed by appropriate conditions and by limiting consent to a temporary period in the first instance.

DECISION

AGREED that:-

(a)          the request for a review had been competently made in terms of Section 43A of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997;

(b)          in accordance with Section 43B of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 the review could be determined with reference to the new evidence submitted with the Notice of Review documentation;

(c)          the review could be considered without the need for any further procedure on the basis of the papers submitted;

(d)          the proposal would be in keeping with the Development Plan; and

(e)          the officer’s decision to refuse the application be reversed and planning permission be granted subject to conditions and informatives, for the reasons detailed in Appendix I to this Minute