Minutes of the Extra - Ordinary Meeting of the Penrice Community Council held
on Monday 21^st December 2009
At the Horton Village Hall at 7.30pm

Members Present:  Councillor G Roberts (Chair)
Councillor A Glass
Councillor A Oliver
Councillor M Barnett

Councillor T Methuen-Campbell

2 members of the public were also present..

137/09 Apologies for Absence.

Cllr J Bowen

138/09 Declarations of Interest.

Cllr A Oliver declared a personal interest relating to Eastern Slade Farm due to being a direct neighbour. This item is to be discussed under Planning.

139/09 Planning

Application no: 2009/0995 Eastern Slade Farm Mr E Beynon

Amended Plans : Change of use of part of field from agriculture to camping for a maximum of 10 units for weekends and bank holidays from the 31^st May or Spring Bank Holiday whichever is the earlier until 2^nd weekend in September or 9^th September whichever is the later in any year.

1) The Chair gave an overview of the situation.

At the extra-ordinary Council meeting held 31^st July 09, to consider and decided the original application that had been submitted by Mr E Beynon of Eastern Slade Farm, the Council was aware of the amount of public interest due to the large attendance at this meeting. However it was very difficult for the Council to gauge the exact feelings of the local residents and therefore decided to support the application for tents with no objection.

2) The Council has in the interim period now received 17 letters of objection from local residents against this

application.

Many points have been raised in the letters, some of these points are as follows:

a. This application is against the policies in the Unitary Development Plan adopted by the Council.

b. Access to this site is not suitable due to the lane in wet weather being unsuitable for vehicles.

c. Vehicles deposit mud on the road when they are leaving the site.

d. Would create a precedent for other sites in the AONB Gower area.

e. Concerns were raised as this site has been used illegally over the past few years, so how would the numbers be policed?

Comments made by Members;

3) It was very difficult to get the exact view of local feeling at the meeting 31^st July 09, and a person not living in the area will not be adversely affected by this application. Cllrs respect the views of local residents and also try to give balanced support to local businesses and promote tourism in the area. However it has since become clear that there is a lot of opposition in particular from the immediate local residents who would be mostly affected by this application.

The letters of objection have explained the problems that have been experienced at this location and now that more information is known, the Council should represent the local feeling and object to this application. K Beynon had stated at a previous meeting that this application is providing for the niche market, however there is more than enough provision for tents in the area at the Greenways Leisure Park and other sites.

4) Not against the original or this amended application, in principle, as the original number of tents that have been applied for has now changed from 20 to 10. However, it had not been appreciated the problems caused on the road, highlighted in the letters. There would have to be a provision to ensure that vehicles are not left on the road and that the access to the field would have to have a hard standing. Cllr’s had not been aware that vehicles were becoming bogged down in wet weather. In principle not against, but have to support local feeling.

5) Having heard the local opinion, cannot see how the Council can support this application. Councillor’s understand that they represent the whole of the community, but when there are so many local residents that would be directly and adversely affected by this application, then the Council must support those that are most affected. The Unitary Development Plan is against applications such as this and it could also set a bad precedent in an AONB. If this application was passed then others would expect to have planning permission for similar applications.

6) The Council balance the needs of the community, businesses and residents. In July the Council was not able to clearly gauge the feelings of the community and so did not object to the original application. However the Council has now received documentary evidence which has highlighted that this application is in contradiction to the Unitary Development Plan.

7) The Clerk reported: One Voice Wales had advised the Council that due to this application being an amended application and also due to the fact that more information relating to application has now been brought to the attention of the Council it was acceptable to change the decision made.

Council decided: To object to this application, and to explain that the Council have changed their original decision, due to the 17 letters of objection received and also the awareness that this application contradicts the policies contained in the UDP.

140/09 Correspondence relating to the Ombudsman.

The Chair gave an overview of the situation.

Does the Council wish to make a response to the Ombudsman?

Following a discussion, Council decided to write a letter of support for Cllr J Bowen.

1. A copy letter had been emailed that had been sent to the Ombudsman by J Wright.
2. An e mail had been sent from K Beynon dated 20^th December 2009 to the Chairman.

Due to the personal nature of the information contained in the letter and e mail, Council decided to hold this part of the meeting in camera, therefore the public were excluded from this part of the meeting.

Members of the public returned to the meeting.

Council advised the meeting of the decisions;

A The Council would make a representation to the Ombudsman.

B The Chairman would reply to K Beynon’s e mail with copy letters to all that had been copied in.

S Osborne from the floor apologised for not responding to the Council at the meeting 31^st July 09, but this was due to the animosity that has been experienced. Residents are concerned that if 10 tents are agreed to then this will grow to more and more. The public are afraid to say that they object . Mrs Osborne was outside the day of the alleged incident and the person from the campsite asked who the man was who was taking the photographs?

The Chairman asked that if anyone did see the incident in question and can offer evidence of provocation, please to do so.

S Osborne from the floor advised that it was evident why this incident occurred as the campsite person, had said with glee ‘ I’ve told him, I’ve told him’.

The Council should look at this application with the whole of Gower in mind. There are enough caravans in the area especially as it is an AONB. The Council should not support any further development of this kind.

Cllr A Glass – Should share the area with holiday makers, however the roads are not suitable for tourers and therefore should oppose these applications. Vandalism that has in some instances occurred from rowdy campers on holiday should not be tolerated. People visiting should respect the area and the only major problem now is the litter left.

M Williams from the floor – On the plan the area to be used has been outlined. What happens for the rest of the week? There is a concern that permission will be gained under the established use rule when this spills over from the original permission if received. This will creep to become more in the future.

Cllr A Glass - Tents are less harm locally than holiday homes. If properly regulated, then camp sites are not a problem.

The Chairman Cllr G Roberts – There has been a failure to regulate sites by the CCS for years. This did not encourage site owners to legally apply for planning permission.

Cllr T Methuen-Campbell – There has been 50 years of unregulated camping and caravan tourism in Gower. The UDP does not support new camping sites. There must be a balance between tourism and protecting the AONB. There is a fantastic provision at the Greenways Leisure Park and other local sites.