Address:       The Pigling, Woodview Nurseries, Shefford Road, Meppershall, Shefford, SG17 5LL

Replace existing mobile home with a single storey two bedroom permanent dwelling.

Applicant:     Mrs D Hinton

The Committee had before it a report regarding Planning Application No. CB/17/05425/FULL for the replacement of an existing mobile home with a single storey two bedroom permanent dwelling at The Pigling, Woodville Nurseries, Shefford Road, Meppershall, Shefford, SG17 5LL.

In advance of consideration of the application the Committee’s attention was drawn to an additional comment as set out in the Late Sheet.

In advance of consideration of the application the Committee received representations from an objector to the application and the applicant’s agent.

(Note: At this point in the proceedings Councillor Brown, as a ward Member, withdrew from the seating allocated to Members of the Committee and addressed the meeting from the public speaking point).

The ward Member stated that the existing mobile home and conservatory referred to in the officer’s report were unlawful structures and subject to enforcement orders.  The latest enforcement order had been reviewed on compassionate grounds and a lifetime agreement made with Council to delay the removal of the structures but on the immediate release of the land to the Council.  It had also been agreed that at the right time the site would be returned to open countryside under Meppershall Parish Council for the benefit of local residents.  With reference to the approval for the development of a neighbouring site the ward Member stated that the site had been approved by the Planning Inspector because the Council did not, at that time, have a five year land supply.  He added that the application was not sustainable, lay outside the settlement envelope in open countryside and adjacent to a private, ancient woodland.

(Note: At this point in the proceedings Councillor Young declared a personal interest as he had dealt with the grant of the lifetime agreement).

In response to the ward Member’s comments the Chairman stated that the application should be considered as any other planning application for a new, permanent dwelling and need not take account of the reasons for the lifetime agreement.

(Note: At this point in the proceedings Councillor Young briefly outlined the circumstances regarding the lifetime agreement and his role in its grant.  He then left the Council Chamber and took no further part in the debate or in the vote on this item).

The Chairman stated that he had been advised that, irrespective of what had gone before, the application was completely separate and should be treated on its merits.

In response to a Member’s request for clarification on the legal status of the existing mobile home a second planning officer explained that the building was unauthorised, subject to an enforcement notice and had no planning permission.  Whilst the proposed dwelling was a replacement for the existing mobile home the latter did not have planning permission.

The legal officer confirmed that there was no planning permission for the mobile home and that, as yet, no enforcement action had been taken.  She added that enforcement action was discretionary.  She stressed that the Committee had to consider what was before it.

(Note: In  ...  view the full minutes text for item 124