Agenda item

Application for the construction of two agricultural buildings at land to the North East of 17 Main Road, Shirland

(Planning Manager – Development Management)

The report to Committee explained that an Application had been submitted for the construction of two agricultural buildings at land to the North East of 17 Main Road, Shirland. The application had been referred to the Committee by local Ward Member, Councillor H Liggett, who had raised concerns about it.

Committee was recommended to conditionally approve the application, subject to the conditions set out in the report.

The report to Committee explained why Members were asked to approve the application. It advised that the proposed development would be in line with the emerging local plan policies of the Council and the overarching aims of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). In particular, officers had concluded that the scale, design and siting of the building was, on balance, in keeping with the character and appearance of the surrounding countryside. Consequently, it also advised that the proposed development would be appropriate for the location.

Before Members discussed the application the views of the Chair of Shirland and Higham Parish Council, Cllr A Brown, opposing the application, were read to the Committee. No other speakers addressed the Committee.

Committee considered the application It took into account the relevant Planning Issues. As part of this, Committee considered on the Principles of Development and the site’s countryside location, outside of any defined Settlement Development Limit (SDL). Committee also reflected on the grounds for development in the countryside, the heritage implications, as well as the impact on neighbouring properties, highways safety and possible land contamination issues.

Members discussed the application. They sought clarification on what specific agricultural purposes they would be used for. They discussed whether the buildings would be in keeping with the character of the countryside and could be classed as appropriate development.  Members also discussed whether, in the longer term, the buildings might be used for other purposes that would be inappropriate in a countryside setting and what action could be taken to prevent this.

At the conclusion of the discussion, Councillor P Elliot and A Powell moved and seconded a motion to approve the application with the conditions set out in the report and with the addition a further condition requiring the buildings be removed from the site if they were no longer required for agricultural purposes.

The motion was put to the vote and was approved.

RESOLVED -

That the application be approved, in line with officer recommendations, with the following additional condition. The final wording of the conditions delegated to the Planning Manager (Development Management). 

Conditions

1      The development hereby permitted shall be started within 3 years from the date of this permission.

 2     The development hereby approved shall be carried out in accordance with the following submitted plans, unless otherwise subsequently agreed through a formal submission under the Non Material Amendment procedures and unless otherwise required by any condition contained in this decision notice.

·         Drawing No. 102-12-02 Building 1 Tractor Shed Plans and Elevations (date published 16.02.2021)

·         Drawing No. 102-12-03 Building 2 Hay Barn Plans and Elevations (date published 16.02.201)

·         Drawing No. 102-12-LOC 02 Rev B Location Plan (date published 22.04.2021)

·         Drawing No. 102-012-01 Rev C Site Plan as Proposed (date published 21.05.2021)

 3     Building 1 hereby approved shall be used for the storage of agricultural machinery only.

 4     Within 56 days of either building, hereby approved, no longer being used or operated for agriculture/agricultural purposes, it/they shall be demolished and all associated materials removed for the site and the site be returned to its original condition and use (i.e. as a field).

 5     No external lighting shall be installed on the buildings hereby approved and the buildings shall not in any way be artificially illuminated.

 6     With the exception of the development specifically hereby approved, and notwithstanding the provisions of Article 3(1) of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, (or any Order revoking and re-enacting that Order) and specifically Class B of Part 6 of that Order, no extensions or alterations, plant or machinery, sewers, mains, pipes, cables or other apparatus, private ways or the provision of additional hard surfacing shall be erected/constructed/formed/installed without first obtaining planning permission.