Planning committee refuses premission for Shrewley family to put caravan in field near home to care for terminally ill relative

But planning officers explained that if the caravan was to be put in the back garden of their Shrewley Common home then no permission would be needed.

Councillors at this week’s (Wednesday) meeting of Warwick District Council’s planning committee were told that the field at the rear of the family home was in the green belt.

The council’s development services manager Gary Fisher said: “It is washed over by the green belt and members probably won’t be surprised to hear that the main issue is green belt policy.

“In your officers’ view we are dealing with inappropriate development. There is an objection in principle to inappropriate development unless very special circumstances have been demonstrated and in this case none have been put forward by the applicant.”

Although those circumstances had not been revealed at the time, committee members heard at the meeting why the caravan was needed.

David Lawrie, of Shrewley Parish Council, explained: “This is a temporary dwelling for a terminally ill family member in the grounds of his brother-in-law so that he can be cared for.”

Richard Cook, the agent acting for the applicant, added that the temporary home would not be seen and the relative would be cared for by the applicant’s wife who was a nurse and her daughter, a trainee nurse.

Mr Cook added: “We feel the applicant is trying to do the right thing here and officers agree that the proposed location would not harm the residential amenity of the neighbours.

“Planning conditions could be used to ensure the site is restored to its current form as and when the accommodation is no longer needed for its intended purpose.”

Mr Fisher reminded councillors that they needed to focus on the material planning considerations.

He said: “It is clearly a very difficult time for the family. For us as officers and for members, we do need to focus on the planning.”

A proposal from Cllr Tony Heath (Ind, Whitnash) to grant temporary permission for 12 months failed to find a seconder and councillors voted to refuse permission.

But Mr Fisher confirmed that if the caravan was put in the curtilage or grounds of the main house then it would be seen as permitted development because it would be occupied by someone dependent on that dwelling.