Agenda item

Report of the Assistant Director Planning – Community Development Services

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Considered :-

The Assistant Director Planning – Community Development Services sought determination of a planning application for formation of a secure dog walking facility with associated parking and access at land south-east of Main Street, Irton, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, on behalf of David Barker Livestock (Mr David Barker).

The applicant’s agent, Joshua Thomson, spoke in support of the application.

John Luckock spoke on behalf of local residents objecting to the application.

Local Division councillor, Councillor Heather Phillips spoke objecting to the application.

During consideration of the above application, the Committee discussed the following issues:-

·       Concern at the change of use of good quality agricultural land

·       The unsuitability of the rural location as outlined in the officer report

·       Such a facility would be better suited to the edge of a service village or town allowing easier access for users

·       Why the need for a facility here in open countryside when there were footpaths and other opportunities nearby to walk dogs?

·       How would the online booking system enable use of the facility to be controlled and monitored taking into account the potential dangers and nuisance posed by dogs off the lead?

·       The opportunity the proposals provided for agricultural diversification and the appeal to dog owners of taking their dogs to such a facility in open countryside

The Decision :-

That planning permission be REFUSED.

Voting Record

A vote was taken and the motion was declared carried with 5 for and 1 against.

Reason :-

The Committee agreed with the reasons for refusal put forward by the Planning Officer as set out below:-

1.     The proposed development is in a remote and unsustainable location, therefore someusers willinevitably driveto thesite towalk theirdogs ina securefield, thereforeit is considered that this proposal will result in a significant increase in car usage. Irton village itself is a small village without facilities and limited public transport services. It is a significant distance from the urban area of Scarborough or any service villages. The proposal would result in vehicle movements with limited potential for more sustainable modes of transport being utilised. As such the proposed development fails to comply with the National Planning Policy Framework, which requires developments to 'create places that are safe, inclusive and accessible' and to promote walking, cycling and public transport, and also fails to comply with Policy SD1 (Presumption in Favour of Sustainable Development) of the Scarborough Borough Local Plan (2017).

2.     It is considered that the site cannot accommodate the proposed development without significant effects to the landscape character or visual amenity of the area. By the introductionof highfencing withgates, hardstandingsand afield shelter,it willdetract from the appearance of the surrounding landscape and make the site more prominent within it. In the context of the wider landscape and its enjoyment by the wider public, it isconsidered that this proposal would have a serious adverse impact. Overall, it is considered that the site cannot accommodate the proposed development without significant effects to the landscape character or visual amenity of the area. The proposed fencing would be clearly apparent at the site entrance and at odds with the existing characteristic rural boundary treatments. The car parking areas would detract from the appearance of the landscape, and human activity would erode the tranquillity of the site. The proposal would therefore result in significant harmto the character and appearanceof the area.

As such, the scheme is considered contrary to Policies ENV6 (Development Affecting the Countryside) and ENV7 (Landscape Protection and Sensitivity) of the ScarboroughBorough LocalPlan (2017),and section12 (Achievingwell-designed and beautiful places) of the NPPF.

3.     Fundamental improvements to the site entrance are considered necessary to provide a safe and suitable access to the development. To improve the available visibility to access the site, it is required to move the access about 30m further away (to the southwest) fromthe currentaccess, andhedging wouldneed tobe removedand replanted further back into the field. Any access which meets the required visibility would have to be constructed to the required Local Highway Authority specification, which would be atarmac crossing/access. Roadside hedging would have to be kept low at all times to retain the visibility splays.

Fundamentally, the proposed access is technically unacceptable from a highway safety perspective. The required changes would significantly adversely affect the rural characterof theexisting narrowsingle tracklane, furthereroding therural characterof the area. The new access, if allowed, would be clearlyapparent in thelandscape and at odds with the existing characteristic rural boundary treatments.

Thiswould beunacceptable atthis countrysidelocation, andwould thereforenot be acceptable in planning terms.

As such, the scheme is considered contrary to policies DEC1 (Principles of Good Design),ENV6 (DevelopmentAffecting theCountryside) andENV7 (LandscapeProtection and Sensitivity) of the Scarborough Borough Local Plan (2017).