Agenda item

Copies of the following papers attached:-

            review of 22/00043/RREF

There had been circulated copies of a request from Mr Graham Hodgson, c/o Tetra Tech, Quay West, Traford Wharf Road, to review the decision to refuse the planning application for the change of use of land and plot layout to form extension to caravan park on Land West of Pease Bay Holiday Home Park, Cockburnspath.  The supporting papers included the Notice of Review (including the Decision Notice and Officer’s Report); Papers referred to in the Officer’s report; additional information; consultation replies; objection comments, Applicants response to objections and list of policies.  Members noted that the present caravan site consisted of 330 caravans and the application was for a further 19 lodges for a mixture of owned and short term lets.  Members considered the impact of the development in terms of the landscape and visual impacts and whilst divided over the level of impact that the extension would have on the Special Landscape Area and coastline, concluded the site could successfully accommodate the development, especially once ground shaping and landscape mitigation were undertaken.  Members went onto consider the potential impact on the local infrastructure and flooding and noted the satisfactory findings of the Flood Risk Assessment and lack of objections from Transport Scotland and the Roads Officer. Members were therefore content that the road system could accommodate additional traffic generated from the site and that flood risk was not an issue.

VOTE

Councillor Thompson, seconded by Councillor Orr moved that the officers’ decision be upheld and the application be refused.

Councillor Moffat, seconded by Councillor Scott moved as an amendment that the officer’s decision be overturned and the application be approved.

On a show of hands Members voted as follows:-

Motion             - 4 votes

Amendment     - 5 votes

The amendment was accordingly carried.

DECISION

DECIDED that:-

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

(b)       the review could be considered without the need for further procedure;

(c)       After considering all relevant information, the Local Review Body concluded that the development was consistent with Policies PMD2, ED8, EP5, EP14 and relevant Supplementary Planning Guidance. The proposal was considered to be an appropriately scaled and designed extension to the existing holiday park, with limited and acceptable impacts on the locally designated landscape, visual amenity of the area and local infrastructure, providing additional local economic benefits and subject to appropriate conditions

(d)       the officer’s decision to refuse the application be overturned, for the reasons detailed in Appendix II to this Minute and subject to conditions.