Agenda item

To determine the application.

David Rowen presented the report to members and drew members attention to the update report that had been circulated.

The committee had regard to its inspection of the site (as agreed in accordance with the Site Inspection: Policy and Procedure (minute P19/04 refers)) during its deliberations.

Members received a presentation, in accordance with the public participation procedure, from Muriel and Martin Aldin, the applicants. Mrs Aldin stated that she has moved from Scotland with her animals to be nearer her family due to her age so that they are able to look after her. Mr Aldin explained that his mother is 86 years old and the family suggested to her that she moved back to the area so that the family can care and look after her as a family unit.

Members received a written representation, in accordance with the public participation procedure, from Alexandra Patrick, the agent, read by Member Services. Mrs Patrick stated that the application has the support from the gypsy traveller liaison officer, a family tree to show the links of the applicants to the Aldin family along with confidential evidence of the situation her clients are in. She expressed the view that evidence has been shown the site is imperative to aid Mr Aldin's mother and wife's mental well-being and safety as a family unit together.

Mrs Patrick expressed the opinion that this is a very similar application to the approved F/YR22/0338/F- Seadyke Bank, Murrow, F/YR21/0309/F- Garden Lane, Wisbech St Mary, and F/YR21/1501/F- Wolf lane, Leverington, which are all small plots in nature, all in Flood Zone 3 and all within close proximity to one another. In relation to the Flood Zone 3 area, if the committee consented to this application, she feels this could be addressed by installing an emergency loft window for access to the roof in the event of a flood if it is agreed appropriate.

Mrs Patrick stated that Mr Aldin is self-employed and fully self-sufficient, they will not put a stress on Council services, and they do not own any other property that they can move to, they bought this piece of land on the basis that it can also house their beloved horses and such.

Members asked officers the following questions:

·       Councillor Mrs French stated that she has noted from the report that there is no up to date GTNA (Gypsy and Traveller Needs Assessment) and asked when that is likely to be available? Nick Harding stated that a new team of consultants are now engaged with this assessment, however, there are no timescales available as to when the completion date will be. Councillor Connor stated that he has been advised that the timescale is likely to be approximately six months before that will be ready.

·       Councillor Mrs French made the point that it is commendable that the family are going to look after their mother.

·       Councillor Sutton stated that, in the last version of the five-year land supply, it indicated that there is a five-year supply of GTNA sites. Nick Harding stated that he would expect that the figures in that document will be comparing the planning permissions that were granted in relation to the most recent GTNA that is known to be out of date. He added that Central Government requires an assessment to be carried out to understand what the other needs that there might be, which have not been identified purely by surveys of existing families.

·       Councillor Sutton stated that with regard to flood risk he can recall historically the views of an officer from the Environment Agency who had stated that in no uncertain terms that a caravan can be sited on Flood Zone 3 land, but now it appears to be acceptable, whereas there is a great concern about siting a 2-storey house on such land.

·       Nick Harding stated that there is Government policy and guidance that identifies the vulnerability of different types of land uses and by using that against the flood risk matrix it determines in what circumstance the flood risk assessment needs to be submitted and whether or not a sequential test needs to be undertaken.

Proposed by Councillor Skoulding, seconded by Councillor Mrs French and agreed that the application be APPROVED as per the officer’s recommendation.