| Conditions / Reason for Refusal: |
01
The use of the site for motor trials bike training and the associated formation of jumps and obstacles, as well as the car park formed, have a detrimental impact on the openness of the Green Belt, and on the purposes of including land within the Green Belt, being to prevent urban sprawl and safeguard the countryside from encroachment. As such, the proposal constitutes inappropriate development within the Green Belt and no very special circumstances have been put forward to overcome the harm caused by the inappropriateness, and the other harm caused, contrary to Local Plan Policies CS4 Green Belt, SP2 Development in the Green Belt, and SP10 ‘Proposals for Outdoor Sport, Outdoor Recreation and Cemeteries in the Green Belt’, as well as the guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
02
The development has resulted in damage to Ancient Woodland and the loss of irreplaceable habitats, causing significant harm to biodiversity and geodiversity. This is contrary to Local Plan Policies CS20 ‘Biodiversity and Geodiversity’, SP33 ‘Conserving and Enhancing the Natural Environment’, and SP34 ‘Sites Protected for Nature Conservation’, and the advice contained within the NPPF, which seeks to protect and enhance valued natural assets.
03
Insufficient information has been submitted to demonstrate that the proposed development would not result in unacceptable noise impacts on the surrounding area. In the absence of a noise assessment, the Local Planning Authority is unable to properly assess the potential effects of the development on amenity. The proposal is therefore considered to be contrary to Local Plan Policy SP52 ‘Pollution Control’ and paragraphs 185 and 174 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which seek to ensure that development is appropriate for its location, taking into account the effects of pollution (including noise) on health, living conditions, and the natural environment.
Informative(s)
Enforcement action has been authorised requiring the cessation of the use for motor trials bike training and the restoration of the site to its former condition with a compliance period of 6 months from the date that any enforcement notice comes into effect.
POSITIVE AND PROACTIVE STATEMENT
Whilst the applicant entered into pre application discussions with the Local Planning Authority these identified that it is not possible to support a scheme of this nature and no amendments have been identified at this time to make it acceptable. The application was submitted on the basis of these discussions and it was not considered to be in accordance with the principles of the National Planning Policy Framework resulting in this refusal.
|
