Agenda item

(Director of Planning and Economic Development) To consider the attached report.

The Committee were asked to consider their views on three planning applications which had come before Area Plans Subcommittee East in March 2013. The applications had been referred to the Committee but had been made subject to appeal on the grounds of non-determination. The committee received representations from a representative of the objectors and the applicant.

The Committee were of the view that the changes of use proposed under EPF/2404/12 would have been acceptable but that the further change of use of farm buildings had caused a detrimental impact on the amenities of local residents and furthermore that the case for the application for a further grain building had not been made as there were other suitable buildings on the site. The Committee resolved accordingly.

Resolved:

That had appeals against the non-determination of the applications at New House Farm not been submitted to the Planning Inspectorate the Council would have determined the applications as follows:

(a)        EPF/2404/12 for the Change of use of units 2a, 3a and 7C1 to Class B2 use and alterations to previously approved lean to extensions (EPF/0359/08) to facilitate change of use.

Application would have been granted subject to the following conditions:

(1)        The operating hours and any deliveries associated with the uses hereby approved shall not take place outside the following hours:- 09.00 - 17.00 hours Monday to Saturday and 09.00 - 13.00 on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

(2)        No external storage or working outside shall take place at any time in connection with the uses hereby approved unless otherwise agreed by the Local Planning Authority.

(3)        The rating levels of noise emitted from the units hereby approved shall not exceed the existing background level by more than 5dB between the permitted hours of operation. The noise levels shall be determined at the nearest residential premises and measurements shall be taken in accordance with BS4142:1997.

(4)        The uses hereby approved shall be contained within the buildings outlined on the submitted plan No 1198/1B and there shall be no further conversions of buildings at the site to non agricultural commercial activities, other than those approved by this application or application EPF/2405/12, including "building 5" currently in use for ancillary agricultural storage. 

(5)        The premises referred to on the approved plan No 1198/1B as Units 2A, 3A and 7C1 shall be for the following stated B2 purposes, 2A Pitfield Brewery, 3A Joinery Workshop, 7C1 Vehicle Restoration, and for no other purpose in Use Class B2 of the Schedule to the Town & Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987, (or in any provision equivalent to that Class in any Statutory Instrument revoking or re-enacting that Order).

(6)        Within four months of the date of this decision, details of equipment to suppress and disperse fumes and odours emitting from unit 3A shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority for approval. The equipment shall be installed within three months as agreed. The equipment shall be effectively operated and maintained for as long as the use continues.

(7)        Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning General Permitted Development Order 1995 as amended (or any other order revoking, further amending or re-enacting that order) no development generally permitted by virtue of Part 8, Class A shall be undertaken without the prior written permission of the Local Planning Authority.

(b)       EPF/2405/12 for the Change of use of units 3B, 3C, 6, 7A and 7C2 to a purpose within class B8 and alterations to lean to extensions (EPF/0359/08) and cattle yard building (EPF/0024/05) to facilitate the change of use.

Planning application would have been refused for the following reason:

(1)        The Class B8 use of these buildings has a significant detrimental impact on the amenities of residents living in close proximity, as well as the character of the countryside, due to the level of associated lorry traffic movements along these narrow country lanes, to and from the site, contrary to policies GB8A of the Adopted Local Plan and Alterations and the National Planning Policy Framework. 

EPF/2406/12 for a new build grain storage building.

Planning application would have been refused for the following reason:

(1)        It has not been demonstrated that the proposed grain store building is deemed necessary for the purposes of agriculture, given the presence of other suitable adaptable buildings on the site and due to its size and position beyond the group of existing buildings on the site, it would be harmful to the appearance of the countryside, the openness of the Green Belt and the purposes of including land within it, contrary to policy GB11 of the Adopted Local Plan and Alterations and the National Planning Policy Framework