Decision is due on major revamp to Little Chapel site

The decision as whether or not to allow the installation of disabled access, provide waiting areas and create a garden will come at the meeting.

It follows Development & Planning’s staff recommendation to grant planning permission with conditions.

Trees and the surrounding area were uppermost in planners' thoughts as several of the conditions referred to their protection.

This includes the removal of plans for some toilets as their erection, if approved, would mean felling a protected beech tree, which ‘would detract significantly from the landscape character of the area and have an unacceptable visual impact’.

Several trees on the chapel’s site are protected and any work done would need to take these into account as ‘important features in the area’.

They would need to continue to be protected even while any building work on the Little Chapel site is undertaken.

Both an ecological mitigation strategy and an arboriculturalist review will also need to be carried out to ensure important features of the surrounding area are protected, such as the trees, before any work can begin.

A landscaping scheme will need to be submitted in order to help ‘assimilate the development into its surroundings’.

Any trees or plants that need to be replaced within five years of the development will be considered, in addition to any lighting plans to ensure it is not excessive and respects the rural character of the area.

Furthermore, an amendment and subsequent approval of the design of the lych gate would need to be made. Concerns were raised over its installation being used as a charging barrier.

Further issues were also raised that the overall scheme was too large for the small site.

If approved, development has to begin within three years from the date of being granted full permission.

The original application was submitted on 20 November 2019, which was later amended before a deferral saw further substantial amendments relating to the erection of an interpretation centre gazebo, entrance shelter and toilets and pathways.

As of the original application submission date, 55 letters or emails of representation were received from the public and three from States deputies, objecting to the application due to a number of issues, including its alteration of the site’s character.

Next week’s open planning meeting will allow for any members of the public, who have already submitted a representation in writing during the application period, and who also submitted an intention to speak at the meeting by noon on Friday, to be able speak on the application.

n The Little Chapel’s open planning meeting will take place on Tuesday at 2.30pm in the Cambridge and Delancey Rooms at Beau Sejour.