Agenda item

To consider a report by the Head of Planning.

 

The Committee considered application 6/2020/0292, to erect a temporary agricultural worker’s dwelling at New Park Farm, Dolmans Hill, Lytchett Matravers, in the form of a caravan, on land at New Park Farm, Lytchett Matravers.

 

With the aid of a visual presentation, officers provided context of what the

main proposals, principles and planning issues of the development were; how

these were to be progressed; what the proposal was designed to do; and

what this entailed. The temporary dwelling would be for a three year period, so as to provide the applicant with the opportunity to develop their business and test the business model.

 

Plans and photographs provided an illustration of where the caravan would be located, its dimensions and appearance – being in a log cabin style -  all being described to the Committee, along with what the characteristics of the landscape in which it was to be sited were. How it would be used, by whom and for what purpose was also explained: being necessary to accommodate herdsman to enable them to have close and ready access to their bovine livestock, so as to be able to monitor them at any given time. As the site was within the Dorset AONB, what considerations needed to be made and criteria to be met for such a development were outlined.

 

How the enterprise was proposed to be managed, so as to ensure it was as viable as it could be, was explained. A Rural Workers Dwelling Appraisal by Reading Agricultural Consultants accompanied the application, setting out the perceived necessity for such a dwelling.

 

Having assessed the material considerations, officers considered there not to be any matters which would warrant a refusal of planning permission. Moreover, the proposal accorded with the focus of the NPPF on building

and supporting prosperous rural economies by supporting sustainable growth and the expansion of all types of businesses in rural areas. Accordingly, officer’s recommendation was being made on that basis.

 

The Committee were notified of the written submissions received and

officers read these direct to the Committee. Having heard what was said, officers responded to some of the pertinent issues raised, being confident that each one could be addressed by the provisions of the application.

 

Lytchett Matravers Parish Council had objected to the application on the basis that a precedent would be set by allowing open countryside, particularly in the AONB,  to be compromised by very small holdings such as this being disaggregated in such a way to allow for unregulated piece meal development, particularly as there was already a ready supply of existing

accommodation locally. However the consultants had established that there were no existing dwellings on site or buildings capable of conversion or indeed any practical alternatives.

 

The Woodland Trust raised concerns regarding the new site location on account of potential disturbance to Old Park Farm Wood.

The opportunity was given for members to ask questions of the presentation

and what they had heard, in seeking clarification of aspects so as to have a

better understanding in coming to a decision. Officers addressed what

questions were raised, providing what they considered to be satisfactory

answers.

 

Local ward member, Alex Brenton, was of a similar view to the Parish Council in that this proposal would compromise the open character of the site and would be an encroachment on the Green Belt that could well set a precedent. She considered that everything should be done to protect the principle of the Green Belt. This view was shared by some other members.

 

However the majority of the Committee considered the proposal to be a practical means for fulfilling the needs of this rural activity and could see the reasons why this would be beneficial. The proposal also supported and encouraged rural business opportunities and economic growth. However, they asked that the condition governing its habitation be limited to, and exclusive for, agricultural activity associated with herdsman and livestock.

 

Having had the opportunity to discuss the merits of the application, having

understood what was being proposed and the reasoning for this; having taken

into account the officer’s report and presentation, what they had heard at the

meeting, the views of the local ward Member and having received

satisfactory answers to questions raised, the Committee were satisfied in their

understanding of what the proposal entailed and the reasoning for this and, on

that basis - in being proposed by Councillor Robin Cook and seconded by

Councillor Shane Bartlett - on being put to the vote, the Committee agreed 7:3

that the application should be approved, subject to the conditions set out in

paragraph 16 of the report and the amendment of the condition governing habitation.

 

Resolved

That planning permission be granted for application 6/2020/0292 subject to  the conditions set out in paragraph 16 of the officers report and the amendment of Condition 4 to read – “the occupation of the residential caravan shall be limited to a person solely or mainly employed in managing livestock on the land holding shown edged in blue on the site plan, including any dependant of such persons residing with him or her”.

 

Reasons for decision

• There was an essential need for a full-time worker to live on-site, as identified the Council’s Agricultural Consultant

• The proposed scale, design of the unit would not significantly and demonstrably harm the character and appearance of the area.

• On the basis of the identified need, the principle of development within the

Green Belt to support an agricultural business was accepted as a ‘very special circumstance’ subject to a condition ensuring the accommodation is

temporary (3 years)

• There were no material considerations which would warrant refusal of this

application and no objections had been raised from the Council’s Highways

and Drainage Departments.