Decision details

To approve application P/FUL/2020/00052 subject to conditions.

The application relates to Grove Farm, Chaffeymoor Hill, Bourton. The description of development is as follows:

Erect Yoga Studio with attached deck and sauna facilities, use of existing on site parking and turning to serve the proposed use, improvements to the access onto Chaffeymoor Hill and change of use Grove Farm from C3 to C1 use to provide B&B accommodation for not more than 20 persons in connection with the proposed use.

This decision was taken by myself, in my role as nominated officer, during the Northern Area Planning Committee meeting on 11 January 2022. The decision was taken under arrangements which were put in place following the full Council meeting held on 4 May 2021. At this full Council meeting, it was agreed that all Council meetings that are not executive in nature would continue to be held virtually, with committee members expressing a ‘minded to’ decision, and with specific officers (including service managers) being authorised to exercise delegated powers to make decisions in light of the ‘minded to’ decisions expressed by members. These arrangements were subsequently extended by decision notices issued by the Chief Executive on 22 July 2021 and 4 October 2021.

This application was considered by the Northern Area Planning Committee on 11 January 2022. Following an officer presentation, representations, member questions and debate, the committee resolved that is was ‘minded to’ approve the application, subject to conditions. I concur with the committee’s ‘minded to’ resolution, and in my view the application should be approved, for the reasons set out in the officer’s report for the application.

The reasons for this decision can be summarised as follows:

·       Will result in the creation of a business to the benefit of the local rural economy and which is supported by the NPPF and Policy 12 of the Neighbourhood Plan.

·       Represents a contemporary building that in size, design and siting terms will not have any material impact on the rural or landscape character of the area nor intrude into any protected views identified by the Neighbourhood Plan.

·       Will not result in any material impact to the outlook or aural amenity of any neighbouring dwellings.

·        Is acceptable in its heritage, wildlife and highway impacts.

The alternative option would be to refuse the planning application, contrary to the ‘minded to’ resolution of the Northern Area Planning Committee. The report to full Council on 4 May 2021, which introduced the ‘minded to’ arrangements, sets out that “an officer should only make a decision contrary to the ‘minded to’ view of members for clear and compelling reasons and if the decision cannot reasonably be deferred until a time when it can be made by Councillors”. In this case, I consider that planning permission should be granted for the reasons set out in the officer’s report and I am not aware of any clear and compelling reasons to differ from the committee’s ‘minded to’ resolution. The alternative option of refusing the application contrary to the committee’s ‘minded-to’ resolution would not be appropriate in this case.

No declarations of interest were made by any of the committee members who took part in the debate.