Agenda item

To consider an application for the change of use of an agricultural barn to a residential single storey dwelling and addition of single storey extension.

RESOLVED

That planning application 2024/1319/FUL be APPROVED contrary to the Officer’s recommendation as a departure to the development plan as, taking into account the location of the site, the proposed re-use of a rural building and the contribution towards the housing supply, it was deemed that the harms of the proposal did not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits. That delegated authority be given to Officers to issue the permission subject to advertising the application as a departure and the imposition of necessary planning conditions.

Votes – 9 for, 1 against, 1 abstention

The Officer’s Report stated that this application had been referred to the Planning Committee as the Planning Officer’s recommendation to refuse differed from that of Selwood Parish Council which supported the application.

The Report continued that the application site was situated within the open countryside where development is strictly controlled. The proposed extension doubles the size of the host barn and therefore goes beyond what is considered an acceptable conversion of a rural building.

The proposed development represented unsustainable development by virtue of its distance and poor accessibility and connectivity to local services and facilities. It would foster growth in the need to travel by private vehicle. Therefore, the adverse impacts of granting permission would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits when assessed against the policies in the NPPF. The recommendation was therefore, for refusal of the application.

The Planning Officer explained the application using a PowerPoint presentation.

The applicant was the only speaker. She said that she wished to make a previously derelict and overgrown site a sustainable home and that they intended to salvage and reuse as much material on site as possible. The aim was to create a small cosy home in the small community. It would be single storey and in a sustainable location with the local bus service passing the site. The application included a cycle shed and would be planted with 200 trees to create a positive environment for nature. She said that residential reuse should be given favourable consideration as it would enhance the area, provide much needed local housing and would support policies DP1 and 2. 

In the brief discussion which followed Members commented that the application would make use of a derelict and dilapidated barn and turn it into a home for two people to live in comfortably. The harms did not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits and Members felt the application accorded as a Class Q barn conversion.

It was proposed by Councillor Philip Ham and seconded by Councillor Ros Wyke to approve the application contrary to the Officer’s recommendation as a departure from the development plan. Taking into account the location of the site, the proposed re-use of a rural building and the contribution towards the housing supply, it was deemed that the harms of the proposal did not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits. Delegated authority should be given to Officers to issue the permission subject to advertising the application as a departure and the imposition of necessary planning conditions.

On being put to the vote, the proposal was carried with 9 votes in favour, 1 against and 1 abstention.

RESOLVED

That planning application 2024/1319/FUL be APPROVED contrary to the Officer’s recommendation as a departure to the development plan as, taking into account the location of the site, the proposed re-use of a rural building and the contribution towards the housing supply, it was deemed that the harms of the proposal did not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits. That delegated authority be given to Officers to issue the permission subject to advertising the application as a departure and the imposition of necessary planning conditions.

Votes – 9 for, 1 against, 1 abstention