Agenda item

MJC introduced the application as above, explaining that the original 1988 planning application for five bed and breakfast units included a condition to prevent sole residential occupancy.  This application is at committee due to an objection from the parish council, which is included in the report.  The officer recommendation is to permit.

Public Speaking:

There was none.

Member debate:

BF:  is perturbed by this.  We are being asked to remove a condition, but there is no evidence as to why the condition was included in the first place, and it shouldn’t be removed without a good reason why.  At the time of the original application, there were surplus farm buildings, and owners were encouraged to use them to boost employment and tourism – holiday lets encompasses both these things which, as a private dwelling, will be lost.  We need tourism and employment in the town, and five bed and breakfast units generates both.  Also, there is nothing in the report about access for dustbin lorries – Ubico staff will not drag bins more than 9m to be emptied– and this could become a problem.  The buildings are described as ‘redundant farm buildings’ but this is still called a farm, and if the agricultural land is sold in the future, it could become active again.  If this dwelling is in separate ownership, it could be a cause for concern.  Is also concerned that this site is in the green belt, and we have already fought an application to build on Hunting Butts Farm.  This is a back-door application to get a dwelling in the green belt.  The update suggests a condition to remove permitted development rights, but a planning application to expand the property could follow.  Does not consider good enough reasons have been put forward to remove the condition, and believes that this property in the green belt should remain as holiday lets.

MJC, in response:

-          could also flip this to say that the reason for the condition as stated in the 1988 planning permission could have been a lot stronger.  At the recent training session, members were told about the tests the conditions have to follow;

-          regarding bin collection, the current use as holiday lets already creates waste which has to be disposed of in a suitable manner.  This scenario will be no different with the change of use;

-          regarding the potential of the land coming back to farming use, yes this is possible though unlikely.  The current government position regarding agricultural buildings, allowing barns to be converted into dwellings without planning permission, so to refuse on these grounds would not carry much weight at an appeal.

AM:  a point of clarification – the application is to turn five bed and breakfast units into one residential dwelling, and the description refers to the main farm house.  Does the current application just refer to the stable block?

MJC, in response:

-          yes, the application relates specifically to the building which houses the five bed and breakfast units.  The rest of the complex will remain in current use.

BF:  there are other holiday lets in the parish, at Home Farm, Deep Street, and Gravel Pit Lane, which could almost become a housing estate.  Has great concern that in allowing this to happen, we are letting people acquire houses in the green belt through the back door.  Why is there no record of why the condition was included in the first place?  We should keep better records.

CH:  there are no alterations proposed for the buildings here, and if people want to live in a redundant chicken farm without alterations, will watch with interest.

Vote on officer recommendation to permit

12 in support

1 in objection

PERMIT