Agenda item

APPLICATION NO.

20/02385/FULLS

APPLICATION TYPE

FULL APPLICATION - SOUTH

REGISTERED

11.12.2020

APPLICANT

Mr G Billett, DHI Limited

SITE

Hill Farm Caravan Park, Branches Lane, Sherfield English, SO51 6FH,  SHERFIELD ENGLISH

PROPOSAL

Use land for the siting of holiday lodges (static caravans), access and parking, landscape planting and associated infrastructure; to replace existing touring caravan, camping pitches and caravan storage areas

AMENDMENTS

Received on 08.10.2021, 02.11.2021 and 19.07.2022:

• Additional information to inform Appropriate Assessment

Received on 09.02.2021 and 14.06.2021:

• Additional landscape plans

Received on 11.12.2020, 18.12.2020, 11.01.2021, 12.01.2021:

• Additional and amended supporting information relating to onsite ecology and drainage matters

Received on 11.12.2020:

• Heritage statement

CASE OFFICER

Graham Melton

REFUSED for the following reasons:

1.

The proposed development would result in the year round appearance of lodge style units of significantly greater scale, bulk and density than the touring caravans and tents that occupy the existing pitches on a sessional basis. Whilst the proposed planting scheme is noted, it is not considered that this will be sufficient to mitigate the visually intrusive appearance of the lodge style units when viewed from Branches Lane and Doctors Hill, particularly during winter months when vegetation is not in full leaf. As a result, the proposal will result in significant harm to the rural landscape character of the surrounding area contrary to Policy E2 of the Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan (2016). The short and long term economic benefits of the proposal are acknowledge, but these benefits do not outweigh the real and obvious harm identified above or overcome the conflict with the development plan and NPPF.

2.

In the absence of a signed and completed s106 legal agreement to secure the phasing of the development and discontinuation of existing activities there is a possibility that the proposed development by means of its nature, location and scale could have likely significant affects upon the nearby Solent and Southampton Water European Designated site which is designated for its conservation importance. Consequently, the application has failed to satisfy the Council that the proposal would not adversely affect the special interest of the Solent and Southampton Water European Designated Site. Furthermore the proposed development, without the signed and completed s106 legal agreement could result in increased recreational pressure on the New Forest SPA, which is designated for its conservation importance and the application has failed to secure any mitigation measures, in accordance with the Council's adopted 'New Forest SPA Mitigation - Interim Framework'.  As such, it is not possible to conclude that the development would not have an in-combination likely significant effect on the interest features of this designated site, as a result of increased recreational pressure. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies E5 of the adopted Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan (2016) and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended).