Agenda item

To consider an application for use of land for the siting of an additional 65 touring caravan pitches and 39 timber camping pods, storage building and associated works at Ffrith Beach, Victoria Road West, Prestatyn (copy attached).

[Councillor Bob Murray declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item because he had known the family. He left the meeting during consideration of the application.

Councillor Alan James declared a personal interest in this item because the applicant was known to him through his Ward work.]

An application was submitted for the use of land for the siting of an additional 65 touring caravan pitches and 39 timber camping pods, storage building and associated works at Ffrith Beach, Victoria Road West, Prestatyn.

Public Speaker –

Mr Mark Roberts (Against) referred to discussions regarding quality of the proposed layout of the site. He stated the layout of the proposal. The size of the car park was deficient and the width of the road was inadequate. Mr Roberts stated that conditions would not be sufficient the plan was unsatisfactory and would not meet the required standards in Policy PSE12.

Mr Noah Robinson (For) stated he and his wife were the current leaseholders of the site having occupied the site for 15 years. He gave members a brief background to the application. In relation to the issue regarding highways he stated that traffic does not all enter or leave the site at the same time. It was his opinion that it would not have an impact on highways.  Regarding issues of access for the public to the site, a public right of way and path allow adequate access to the site to and from the beach. Mr Robinson agreed that security was needed at the site. In his opinion the application had no negative impact on the surrounding businesses.

General Debate – the site had been subject to a Site Inspection Panel meeting on Tuesday 15^th May. Councillor Meirick Lloyd Davies attended the site visit, and mentioned one concern raised at the meeting had been the lack of clear boundaries at the site, and that security at the site was imperative.  

Councillor Rachel Flynn (Local Member) stated that Prestatyn Town Council had objected due to the loss of open space. The Town Council felt it had not seen improvements to the site as was stated by the occupants when the tenancy was granted. The outer area of the site had been left in a poor state. Councillor Flynn outlined a number of requests from the Town Council which they would like to be included if permission was granted, these included –

·         Planting of trees and specific species

·         Boundary fences – softer than metal

·         Street lighting

·         Free disabled parking

·         Not to be made a site for static caravans

Councillor Tony Flynn (Local Member) informed members of a public meeting which had taken place on 12 February 2018, which residents attended to discuss the application. It was the opinion of the residents the land could be developed more productively. It was considered the plans for access to the site are not adequate and needed further development to satisfy the local residents.  

The Development Manager highlighted the planning application was for a tourism development on an allocated tourism site in the Local Development Plan. Denbighshire County Council where the legal owners of the land, if members had concerns with the lease and tenancy agreement that was a separate issue to considerations to be applied to the planning application.  The application had been publicised in the correct manner. Additional controls had been included that addressed a number of concerns raised by Prestatyn Town Council. The revised conditions of landscaping had included the use of fencing, further approval from officers or planning committee would be required to oblige fencing at the site. Officers felt the concerns raised had been acknowledged and suitable conditions imposed to address the concerns of local residents.

Reassurance was given in relation to highway concerns. Parking provision had been for 500 vehicles. The application would result in the loss of 264 spaces. This was considered adequate for the development and not considered to be a major issue. The addition to condition 6 had addressed concerns regarding space around the pods. The application had specified the areas that had been proposed for the use of holiday accommodation and the type of accommodation. The proposal is specific to the type and number of accommodation. If this was to change a separate application would need to be presented. Planning and licencing would both have conditions imposed on the development.

Councillor Peter Evans raised concerns regarding the access roads that passed through his ward to access the site. The increased number of vehicles in the area would be problematic on minor roads. The Development Manager confirmed that a note to applicant could be requested to highlight the route to the site via alternative routes.

Proposal – Councillor Tony Thomas proposed the officer recommendation to grant the application, with additional conditions including controlling the type of accommodation at the site, seconded by Councillor Pat Jones.

VOTE:

GRANT - 10

ABSTAIN - 0

REFUSE - 4

RESOLVED, that permission be GRANTED in accordance with officer recommendations as stipulated within the report.