‘No justification’: Council refuses planning permission for chalet development in Scarborough that has ‘already taken place’

A retrospective planning application for the change of use of land to a caravan site and the siting of six residential units in +9ed to be permanent homes.

In addition to the extension of the caravan site with the residential units, the retrospective application also sought permission for associated parking and a single-lane access road that had also been completed.

The single-storey chalets have been constructed with pre-clad composite and they measure around 13 metres in width and 16 metres in length.

Planning documents state that each chalet plot has a paved or gravel-finished parking area and the units have platform stepped access and a small verandah.

The fate of the development is currently unclear as the applicant may choose to appeal the council’s rejection of the plan.

A report by the planning authority states: “It is noted that the chalets seeking retrospective consent do so on the basis that they too are a permanent residence and not as visitor accommodation.

“On this basis, contrary to the supporting information, it is not considered that the proposal represents a rural tourism and leisure development.”

Planning officers said that the visual impact of the development was of particular concern as the “chalets have encroached towards the woodland and obscure certain views across the valley”.

The report concludes: “The residential development is a new development in the open countryside for which there is no justification.”

The application was rejected by North Yorkshire Council on Wednesday, August 2.