| Conditions or Reasons for Planning Application - CB/21/02608/FULL |
| Conditions or Reasons: | | 1)
The proposed development, involving the extension of the pitch area, the increase in the number of caravans from 3 to 7 and the retention of the community room and day room, would have an adverse effect on the openness of the Green Belt, and would fail to enhance or reinforce the character and appearance of the surrounding countryside area. The proposal is therefore inappropriate in the Green Belt, which is by definition harmful to the Green Belt. The erection of the buildings and stationing of the additional caravans in advance of submitting an application for planning permission constitutes intentional unauthorised development which adds weight to the argument that the proposal is inappropriate development. Some weight can be given to the best interests of the child. However, the Council has a healthy five year supply of Gypsy and Traveller pitches. Further harm is apparent from the proposed unacceptable means of foul drainage. There are no considerations present to clearly outweigh the harm to the Green Belt, and other harm, so as to constitute very special circumstances to justify the grant of full planning permission. The proposal is therefore contrary to Sections 13 (Protecting Green Belt land) and 15 (Conserving and enhancing the natural environment) of the National Planning Policy Framework, 2021, the Planning Policy for Traveller Sites, August 2015, and Policies SP4, SP8, H7, HQ1 and EE5 of the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan. |
| 2)
The proposed development is unacceptable as it has not been demonstrated that the capacity of the existing cess pit is adequate as a means of foul sewage disposal. Further, the Environment Agency advise that the use of a septic tank or cess pit, i.e. a non-mains foul drainage system, in a publicly sewered area has not been justified as a method of foul sewerage disposal. This is not environmentally acceptable because of the greater risk of failures leading to pollution of the water environment including in particular compared to public sewerage systems. The proposal is therefore contrary to Section 15 (Conserving and enhancing the natural environment) of the National Planning Policy Framework, 2021 and Policy H7 of the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan. |
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