Agenda item

Erection of a temporary rural workers dwelling and associated works.

That planning application 2023/1884/FUL  be APPROVED contrary to the Officer’s recommendation as it was considered that the functional need for a rural worker to be resident on the site had been demonstrated and that the means of access to and from the public highway that had been created would operate safely in terms of the visibility that could be achieved for the drivers of vehicles  entering and exiting the site. That delegated authority be given to Officers to impose necessary planning conditions, to be agreed in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair.

Votes – Unanimous in favour

Erection of a temporary rural workers dwelling and associated works.

The Officer’s Report stated that this application had been referred to the Committee at the request of the Chair. It related to a site located outside the development limits and had existing access onto the highway and was opposite a small industrial estate.

The dwelling would be a 2 bedroomed lodge which would be delivered in two halves. The proposed site would be to the east of the existing hay barn and a patio area and path would be formed next to the lodge to enable ease of access.

In summary, the Planning Officer stated that the proposal would result in an isolated dwelling in an unsustainable location where development is strictly controlled. The need for a rural worker dwelling had not been justified. The adverse impact of an isolated dwelling in an unsustainable location significantly and demonstrably outweighed any benefits and because a need has not been demonstrated, there were no identifiable benefits in planning terms.

Also, that insufficient detail had been provided to satisfy the Council that the proposal provided safe access to the highway or adequate parking and turning. Therefore, the recommendation was to refuse the application.

The Planning Officer explained the application to the Committee with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation.

The Committee was then addressed by the applicant. He made the following comments:

• Planning Policy DP13 states that applications for temporary accommodation can be supported. The proposed dwelling can easily be dismantled and removed.
• Wants to grow his business but has struggled to find a house with land.
• Has the land but needs to live onsite to look after the animals and poultry. 
• There is ample parking space.

In the discussion which followed Members made the following comments:

• A small, local business like this should be supported.
• Visibility splay seems good enough and  it would not present highway safety issues.
• There is a demonstrated need for the applicant to be on site to tend to the livestock and poultry.
• It will contribute to the growth of rural economy.
• It is an isolated site, not served by public transport. Living on site will remove the need for twice daily car journeys.
• Living on site will improve security.

At the conclusion of the debate, it was proposed by Councillor Edric Hobbs and seconded by Councillor Susannah Hart to approve the application contrary to the Officer’s recommendation as it was considered that the need for a rural worker to live on site had been demonstrated. Also, Members did not share the concerns for highway safety, as the visibility splays seemed sufficient. Conditions were to be delegated to officers in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair, to include an agricultural worker’s tie, ensuring that the permission was temporary only for 3 years, the diversion of the public right of way and provision and maintenance and the access, parking, turning arrangements and visibility splays.

On being put to the vote the proposal was unanimously approved.

RESOLVED

That planning application 2023/1884/FUL  be APPROVED contrary to the Officer’s recommendation as it was considered that the functional need for a rural worker to be resident on the site had been demonstrated and that the means of access to and from the public highway that had been created would operate safely in terms of the visibility that could be achieved for the drivers of vehicles  entering and exiting the site. That delegated authority be given to Officers to impose necessary planning conditions, to be agreed in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair.

Votes – Unanimous in favour