Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Richard Alecock and Andy Drummond.

Any member who is substituting for another member should so indicate, together with the name of the relevant absent member.

The following substitutions were declared:

Councillor Andy Neal substituting for Councillor Richard Alecock; and

Councillor James Lay substituting for Councillor Andy Drummond.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 5 January 2022 (copy attached).

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 January 2022 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any pecuniary or local non pecuniary interest which they have in any item of business on the agenda, no later than when that item is reached and, when appropriate, to leave the meeting prior to discussion and voting on the item.

Members’ declarations of interest are recorded under the item to which the declaration relates.

Report No: DEV/WS/22/004

Planning application - a. change of use of part of golf course for the siting of 15 caravan lodge holiday homes b. associated infrastructure (as amended)

Planning application - a. change of use of part of golf course for the siting of 15 caravan lodge holiday homes b. associated infrastructure (as amended)

Planning permission DC/19/1700/FUL for the change of use of land for the stationing of up to 35 holiday let caravans was refused in 2020 and a subsequent appeal dismissed. This application was a re-submission for a significantly reduced scheme for the siting of 15 holiday let caravans, which sought to address the previous refusal reasons and the reasons the Inspector dismissed the appeal.

The application site and large parts of the golf course fell within the parish of Fornham All Saints. The All Saints Hotel and parts of the golf course was within the parish of Fornham St Martin cum St Genevieve. Therefore, both parish councils had been consulted.

The application was referred to the Development Control Committee from the Delegation Panel. Fornham St Martin cum St Genevieve Parish Council and Bury St Edmunds Town Council had objected, whilst Fornham All Saints Parish Council raised no objections to the application. The Ward Members for The Fornhams and Great Barton Ward and one of the Ward Members of the adjoining Tollgate Ward had all objected to the proposal.

The Senior Planning Officer informed the Committee that following the publication of the agenda and report, an additional letter of objection had been received, together with another letter of support. Both representations had reflected the views already received from other third parties, as summarised in paragraph 40. of the report.

Speakers:    Marilyn Sayer (local resident) spoke against the application, expressing her own objections, together with those of other local residents registered to speak, Emma Curwen and Dr Nick Meyers.

Peter Plumb (local resident) spoke in support of the application.

Councillor Beccy Hopfensperger (one of the Ward Members for The Fornhams and Great Barton ward) spoke against the application.

Andrew Kellock (architect); Melissa Jolly (All Saints Hotel Events and Marketing Manager); and Joshua Harris (applicant) all spoke in support for the application, each sharing the three-minute time allocation for this category.

A detailed discussion was held and the majority of Members expressed several concerns with this application, particularly in respect of the potential impact on the visual amenity, character and landscape of the area. It was considered this location in the Lark Valley was a major gateway into Bury St Edmunds and the siting of the proposed lodges would have an adverse impact on the visual amenity and landscape of this important gateway. Even without the removal of a significant number of trees it was considered to have a harmful effect on the character of the landscape by way of introducing development into this currently open and undeveloped gap and eroding the edge of development boundary.

In addition, concern was expressed whether the proposals constituted development in the open countryside, therefore this, together with a loss of green, open space would potentially contravene relevant planning policies.

Some Members felt the economic benefits of the proposal, which included the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 212.