Retrospective plans for new home in Bratton refused

Peter Eddington of Magpie Retreat, Court Lane in Bratton had bid to retain building works to create a mobile home.

The council’s planning officers said that the proposed unit fails to meet requirements of Caravan Sites Act 1968.

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They wrote: "In terms of the “mobility test”, just because a unit can be lifted and transported by road does not make it a ‘mobile home’.

"The unit was originally designed to be a replacement unit for the mobile home and there was no attempt to make the unit mobile when it was constructed on the site.

Mobile home before its removal from the site

"The proposed addition of steel beams to be inserted beneath the existing floor joists does not form part of the original design."

A mobile home has been removed from the site and a house has been partially constructed there with planning officers saying that it did not meet construction tests.

“The retention of the building is considered to be an inappropriate, unsustainable form of development which would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefit of providing one additional dwelling in a countryside location,” they wrote.

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“The development would result in the loss of one gypsy/traveller pitch where there is a demonstrable need for such pitches in the county.”

Site location map

Bratton Parish Council said the bid was light on detail and confusing, adding that it reported the building to the council last August but received no feedback.

“Without clarification of the nature of the application councillors consider it should be refused and the matter fully investigated by planning enforcement,” it said.