Agenda item

We considered the report of the application and late correspondence which was

recommended for approval subject to the conditions, as outlined in the report.

Councillor R. Moorby, representing Raglan Community Council, attended the meeting by invitation of the Chair and outlined the following points:

·         Raglan Community Council has been pressing for, and not yet received, details of a number of items.  The Community Council had written to Monmouthshire County Council requesting further details.

·         There were no details regarding engineering works to level out plots and where the water and power would come from.  There is no information available regarding drainage and sewage, with a moveable toilet block being provided.  However, if this is not the case, there are still issues regarding drainage and sewage at this site.

·         There will be minimal works for access.  However, the field has a significant slope to it with the shepherd huts being located at the bottom of the slope.  In inclement weather, the field becomes slippery and muddy and there is potential for vehicles to become stuck in the field in these conditions.

·         No information has come forward regarding lighting of the site.  Concern was expressed that if all night lighting was proposed for the site, then there would be light pollution coming from this site. Residents are able to view the site from their properties and would not be keen to have light pollution in this area of the countryside.

·         Concern was expressed that the proposal might lead to a precedent being set for the site to be developed further in the future.

The applicant, Sarah Evans, attended the meeting by invitation of the Chair and outlined the following points:

·         There are only four shepherd huts proposed in order to be more sympathetic to the local environment and to be more eco-friendly.

·         There will be solar panels on top of each of the huts allowing them to be self-sufficient with regard to energy provision.

·         Parking provision will be provide at the top of the site.

·         There will be no light pollution at night.  Visitors will be required to use torches when moving around after dark.

·         The toilet block will be self-contained.  Drainage will not be required.

·         This venture will help towards maintaining the up keep of Cefn Tilla.

Having considered the report of the application and the views expressed, the following points were noted:

·         The grass reinforcement system consists of a membrane set into the ground which allows the grass to grow between it but will provide a relatively level surface.  However, there will be some regrading required.  The membrane then allows for a structure to be placed upon it providing a level and solid base for the shepherd huts.

·         The water for the huts will come via the mains water supply.

·         The safeguarding zone for the gliding club is not an issue at this site, as the huts will be low structures.

·         Some diversity in the countryside and tourist related activity should be welcomed. The application is modest and is a good design.

·         Concern was expressed regarding the vehicular access off the main road and that there is no formal parking arrangement. This might lead to parking on the lane.  A condition could be added within the consent to seek details of a more formalised parking area with some landscaping around it to mitigate any impact.

·         Conditions 3 and 4 control details of drainage and hard and soft landscaping.  Therefore, the issues relating to car parking could be drawn out in the discharge of those conditions which could be brought to the Delegation Panel for approval.

It was proposed by County Councillor M. Powell and seconded by County Councillor A. Webb that application DC/2016/01128 be approved subject to the conditions, as outlined in the report and also subject to the discharge of conditions three and four being considered via the Delegation Panel. Condition four to be reworded to include parking provision and add a ‘no lighting’ condition for the site.

Upon being put to the vote, the following votes were recorded:

For approval              -           15

Against approval      -           0

Abstentions               -           0

The proposition was carried.

We resolved that application DC/2016/01128 be approved subject to the conditions, as outlined in the report and also subject to the discharge of conditions three and four being considered via the Delegation Panel. Condition four to be reworded to include parking provision and add a ‘no lighting’ condition for the site.