Cllr Jacob Williams: “In an ideal world it would be used as a nature trail”

COUNCILLORS have unanimously agreed to a change of use of the former Pentlepoir School site for the sale and display of mobile homes.

The application came before the Planning and Rights of Way Committee on Tuesday, December 13, after local member Cllr Jacob Williams successfully argued for it to come to the Committee.

Residential homes surround the site and those living closest had a number of concerns about the proposed development.

However, the agent for the application said he was happy to meet with residents to explain the proposed site operations in detail and other issues including fencing.

One of the main concerns relates to a loss of privacy but the agent also mentioned the possibility of putting a fence up to protect residents.

There will also be a warehouse on the site which will be used for small repairs and not heavy mechanical repairs as had been feared.

The site was previously tested for residential housing and a planning application was approved in 2013 but this never came to fruition.

Objecting to the new plans, Mr Peter Scougall said: “As you will know from the petition and letters sent to the planning director, residents in properties which completely surround the site do not want a seven-day commercial enterprise established next to their homes.

“It is therefore hoped that you do not grant approval but should you grant approval, I would ask that you impose the following conditions to satisfy the concerns of the residents; no weekend hours of business – the former school was obviously a Monday-Friday operation; no two-storey building for the office cafe and no workshop taller than a bungalow.

“Allowing these would contravene existing approval and set a wrong precedent. Any security lighting should be limited so the site is not completely floodlit and the access to be gated for the purpose of security and locked at close of business.

“Screening in a form acceptable to residents to be provided. This is a major issue and the site layout plan does not show the closeness of surrounding properties. There is a huge visual impact and the site is visible from the rear of many properties.

“This proposal will not contribute to the regeneration of the community and would add to the traffic problem on a busy main road.”

Cllr Jacob Williams said: “There have been concerns with the redevelopment of the site. I never foresaw that this site could be used for this use; in an ideal world it would be used as a greenfield or nature trail but the council cannot dictate what the land is used for.

“This is a very unusual site to become available; it is surrounded by housing and it is a prime site for the use they are proposing. We are where we are and I am somewhat reassured today that the applicant said this isn’t going to be used for industrial use that I feared when I heard there was a warehouse there.”

Cllr Williams added that he could not see any additional traffic problems and that he was pleased to see the lay-by at the entrance to the site kept.

Cllr Brian Hall suggested deferring the matter to see if issues could be resolved but this was not supported and he went on to ask if the officers could discuss with the applicants the possibility of reducing the height of some of the buildings.

Head of Planning Mr David Popplewell said that there would be discussions with the applicant following the meeting.

Cllr Hall then moved the recommendation with the matters regarding fencing and drainage and lighting be brought back to the Committee at a later date.

Cllr Myles Pepper also asked whether the hours of the cafe also proposed for the project could be limited to the same hours for the sale of caravans.

It was pointed out that they could do this but the applicant had not submitted any hours at this time.

Cllr Keith Lewis said: “It seems that this ticks all the boxes and I see no real reason why we should bring this scheme in delegating the areas that are listed. I would like to see this scheme approved as or otherwise.”

Cllr Williams responded: “What I have been doing is trying to alleviate the concerns in the way of attaching conditions and also asking for it to come back to the Committee.”

The application, with the three issues of fencing, drainage and lighting to come back to the Committee, was approved by a unanimous vote.