A PLANNING application for a caravan site on land in Hook has been won on appeal.

The application, which was refused by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) on June 15, 2017, is for the use of land off Dixon Road, in Sherfield-on-Loddon.

The development was for the use of land for the stationing of caravans for residential purposes, together with the formation of hardstanding and a utility/dayroom aspect.

The original decision to refuse the application, BDBC cited the effect that such a site would have on the ‘character and appearance of the area, with particular regard to trees and the landscape’, as well as the ‘health and safety of future occupants.’

Richard Aston, inspector at the Planning Inspectorate, wrote in his appeal decision: “Although the accommodation needs and other personal circumstances of the proposed occupants were also discussed at the hearing, given this conclusion there is no need to include them in the balancing exercise as they would not alter my decision.

“Having considered all other matters raised, I therefore conclude that the appeal should be allowed.”

Another part of the decision read: “In reaching this conclusion I have had regard to the comments made from third parties in relation to highway safety, living conditions, precedent, overcrowded local services, noise, the nature of future occupiers and ecology.

“However, the council [BDBC] did not object on any of these grounds and there is nothing substantive in writing before me or that was raised at the hearing in respect of these matters which would not be addressed by some of the suggested conditions or should warrant dismissal of the appeal.”

A planning application had been made for change of use of the land for the stationing of caravans for residential purposes for three gypsy pitches in August 2014, which was refused and the appeal for that bid was then dismissed in December of the same year.

The hearing was held over the appeal on April 30.

The appeal for the caravan site was allowed, provided that certain conditions are adhered to.

One of these conditions is that ‘the site shall not be occupied by any persons other than gypsies and travellers,’ and that no commercial work takes place at the site.

Another of the conditions from the report was: “No more than two caravans, as defined in the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 and the Caravans Sites Act 1968 (of which no more than one shall be a static or mobile home) shall be stationed on the site at any one time. The caravans shall be sited in accordance with the approved plan.”