Minutes of meeting held at Glossop Golf Club on Tuesday 3rd June 2014
Topic for discussion, the planning application number NP/HPK/0514/0493, “Proposed demolition of water works building and Change of Use for the stationing of caravans for occupation by Gypsy-Traveller site, with associated development including hard standing, utility building and external lighting.”
Details of which can be found here
http://pam.peakdistrict.gov.uk/?r=NP%2FHPK%2F0514%2F0493&q=water+works&s=3108117
The meeting was attended by approximately 100 people and chaired by Mr F Ackley.
The consensus within the room, was the objection to the proposed Gypsy Travellers site and a general discussion followed as to how best to object. It was pointed out that only objections which fall within the accepted reasons would be considered by The Peak District Authority. The categories for objection can be found at
http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/planning/have-your-say/reasons-for-objecting and
http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/141215/LDF-CoreStrategyFinal.pdf at page 99 section 12.24. Appendix 1 contains the wording from these links.
It was noted that there are already in excess of 500 objections to the Planning Application but many of these would be considered inadequate as they have insufficient reasons for objecting or the objections have not fallen into the required criteria. It was pointed out that any objections already made can be updated/amended if so required.
Glossop Golf Club also invited interested residents to refer to their objection letter which is due to appear imminently The objection letter of Dr Sir John Oldham was also given as a very good example of how a objection should be made.
While all were encouraged to object (by 20th June 2014), it was suggested that pro-forma or copied objections should not be made, as these may be disregarded when the application is considered.
It was noted that the application had been submitted by a company named Aztec Planning, of Oldham. The fact that the application fell within the jurisdiction of Charlesworth Parish Council and that the Council had raised no objection, was of great concern to all.
It was raised that it may be required that a financial contribution may be required from the objectors to cover cost of the campaign although no actual arrangement or agreement of this was made.
It was agreed that a campaign was urgently required and that the application should be bought to the attention of as many local residents as possible. Leafleting was discussed and it was agreed that Mr G Barker would undertake to produce such leaflets as required. Mr Barker was hopeful of a three day timescale for production. The Golf Club agreed to hold a stock of these for residents to collect for distribution. It is also planned for them to be available at the next meeting. A list of volunteers willing to distribute the leaflets was also taken.
The issue of press coverage was discussed and a notice for this weeks Glossop Chronicle was submitted for insertion..
It was also suggested that individuals may wish to contact Andrew Bingham MP in order to register their discontent. His email address is
andrew.bingham.mp@parliament.uk. Telephone Buxton Office 01298 26698 or Houses of Parliament 020 7219 8479. However, it should be noted that he has no further local surgeries planned prior to the deadline of 20 June 2014
Glossop Golf Club, offered to hold copies of the minutes, should anybody require these.
It was agreed that a further meeting was required as soon a possible, by which time individuals may have acquired more information/ details which may strengthen the case for refusing the application.
Mr N Johnstone, Mr J Boardman agreed to lead the next meeting.
The next meeting was arranged for Tuesday 10th June 2014 @ 7.00pm at Glossop Golf Club.
Appendix 1
From Peak District National Park Authority Website.
Valid reasons for objections.
Normally, we can take into account the following:
Non-compliance with national and local policies, including supplementary planning documents
Design and appearance of the development
Impact on landscape
Layout and density of buildings
Local needs (e.g. housing provision)
Planning history of the site
Overshadowing or an overbearing presence near a common boundary to the detriment of neighbours
Overlooking or loss of privacy
Loss of light
Light pollution
Health or crime fears
Road issues: traffic generation, vehicle access, road safety
Car parking provision
Capacity of infrastructure (e.g. in the public drainage system or spaces in schools)
Noise and disturbance resulting from use, including proposed hours of operation
Smells
Loss of trees
Impact on nature conservation interests and biodiversity opportunities
Effect on listed buildings and conservation areas
Impact on archaeological finds or sites
Risk of flooding
Lack of equal access to buildings and/or sites (e.g. for people with disabilities)
Non-valid reasons
Normally, we cannot take into account the following:
Loss of view
Devaluation of property
Matters controlled under building regulations or other non-planning legislation (e.g. structural stability, drainage details, fire precautions, matters covered by licences etc.)
Concerns about the character of an applicant
Private issues between neighbours e.g. land or boundary disputes, damage to property, private rights of access, covenants etc.
Problems arising from the construction period of any works (e.g. noise, dust, construction vehicles, hours of working (covered by Control of Pollution Act).
A better suggested use for a site
Speculation about what an applicant may or may not do next
Commercial competition
Moral or religious objections
N.B. The address for written objections is; Peak District National Park Authority Aldern House
Baslow Road Bakewell Derbyshire DE45 1AE. Please quote NP/HPK/0514/0493 in all correspeondence.
From Peak District National Park Local Development Framework
Sites for gypsies, travellers or travelling showpeople
12.24 National policy requires planning authorities to address the accommodation needs of
gypsies, travellers and travelling showpeople105. This Derbyshire Gypsy and Traveller
Accommodation Assessment 2008 did not identify any need for pitches in the National
Park, although it did identify a need to accommodate 2 pitches elsewhere in Derbyshire
Dales district106. Nevertheless, this Core Strategy retains an approach which accepts
that exceptional circumstances might justify small scale provision. This is unlikely to
exceed 1 or 2 pitches. Planning permission will not be permanent, and need for a site
will be kept under review. The key criteria to be met by all development are set out in
policy GSP3. With caravans and mobile homes, landscape impact is a key concern and
assessment of this will need to take into account the variations in tree and hedgerow
cover throughout the seasons.
HC3: Sites for gypsies, travellers or travelling showpeople
Gypsy, traveller or travelling showpeople’s caravan or mobile home sites may be
permitted only where there are exceptional circumstances of proven need for a small
site that can be met without compromising national park purposes.
