Agenda item

To consider an application for the change of use of land and part of building to form donkey trekking business and associated works (partly retrospective) at  The Paddock, Llanferres, Mold (copy attached).

 

 

An application was submitted for the change of use of land and part of the building to form a donkey trekking business and associated works (partly retrospective) at The Paddock, Llanferres, Mold (previously circulated)

 

Public Speakers – 

 

Ian Hemming (Against)– The public speaker was a resident who lived adjacent to the donkey trekking site and spoke on behalf of the others living locally. There were many concerns, including additional lighting, and increased traffic and loss of amenity through noise and disturbance. The loss of privacy was highlighted as some who went trekking could see into their gardens; this concern was further exacerbated as the site would be open until 9:00 pm. There had been some suggestions from Planners and the applicant to alleviate some concerns. However, the public speaker wanted these to be confirmed before approval. In closing, the public speaker highlighted that the Council had a duty of care for all the residents.

 

Matthew Davies (For) –the application was aimed to get people to walk with six miniature rescue donkeys within the AONB, all within the boundary of the applicant's land. The focus was the well-being benefits of being in the countryside and bonding with an animal. There had been a trial with the trekking carried out at the site under permitted development in June, July and August of 2022.

 

The applicant was overwhelmed by the response to the trial; it attracted people from outside the county, leading them to go into surrounding towns and villages. The site has been highly praised at award shows and by the Welsh Parliament. The message was that ventures such as this should be celebrated due to its benefits to the rural economy; many bodies had contacted the applicant to share the benefits. The applicants were partners with the North Wales Wildlife Trust and, in spring, started the conservation of the area with the planting of trees and the sowing of wildflower meadows. Denbighshire County Council's strategy aimed to promote and grow diversity within the tourism sector; the farm has had a history of diversification.

 

In closing, the applicant quoted the Clwydian Range AONB website – Communities should make the area a personable, welcoming location full of life adventure and personality and thriving communities and successful businesses need the freedom to develop; the applicant felt that the application strongly abided by this.

 

General Debate –

 

Councillor Huw Williams (Local Member) – supported the officer's recommendation to grant the application. He stated that the officers and the applicant had discussed the finer detail regarding the application. He felt that mitigation had been carried out with the conditions aimed to ease concerns which have been raised. He stated the application benefited the area, as it was a business diversification and would retain further generations of the family to remain in the area.

 

The committee sought clarity on the opening times with the business if the application was granted. In response, officers highlighted condition four within the report, which stated

 

“The site shall not be open for visitors to the donkey trekking business outside the hours:

·         Mondays to Fridays - 5 pm to 8 pm.

·         Saturdays - 10 am to 3 pm & 5 pm to 8 pm.

·         Sundays & Bank Holidays - 10 am to 5 pm.

The site shall only operate between the 1st of April to 31st of December.”

 

It was also clarified that the business could not operate in the dark and reassured the committee if the applicant wanted to add lighting to the area, the matter would need to come back to planning to be agreed upon.

 

Councillor Terry Mendies commented that he felt the applicant was missing an opportunity by not having toilets at the site.

 

Councillor Huw Williams (Local Member) – thanked the committee for the discussion; he stated that it would be suitable for the applicant to co-work with education. In closing, Councillor Williams stated those who had raised objections had not been ignored if they had any concerns, they could contact their local councillors to assist with any issues.

 

Proposal – Councillor Merfyn Parry proposed the application be GRANTED in accordance with officer recommendations within the report, seconded by Councillor Alan James.

 

VOTE:

FOR – 17

AGAINST – 0

ABSTAIN – 0

 

RESOLVED that permission be GRANTED in accordance with officer recommendations as detailed within their report.