Proposed change of use of agricultural buildings to provide two units of farm managers accommodation, residential curtilage and parking.

The application was approved in accordance with the Case Officer’s recommendation, with an additional condition.

(Proposed change of use of agricultural buildings to provide two units of farm managers accommodation, residential curtilage and parking.)

The Principal Planning Officer gave a presentation on the application, and updates/additional representations received following the publication of the agenda were provided in the update sheet, as appended to these Minutes.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr G Blackmore of Ocle Pychard Parish Council spoke in opposition to the Scheme.  Mr G Leeds, the applicant, spoke in support.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, the local ward member, Councillor JG Lester, spoke on the application. 

He noted that the Parish Council had expressed concern about potential conflict with the Neighbourhood Development Plan.  However, he considered that the proposal appeared to sit within Core Strategy policy RA5.  It represented good use of agricultural buildings for accommodation.  The objections received related to the overall development that had been the subject of the previous agenda item (application 182191). He had no objections in principle to the proposal.

In the Committee’s discussion of the application the following principal points were made:

·        The proposal was consistent with policy RA5.

·        It was proposed that in considering approval of the roofing material a condition should be added requiring the provision of bat tiles.

·        It was questioned whether the positioning of the mature landscaping proposed meant there was enough space for it to be implemented.  The PPO commented that officers would seek to ensure implementation in accordance with the plan accompanying the application.

·        It was questioned why the application had not been considered as part of application 182191, the subject of the previous agenda item.

The Lead Development Manager commented that the application was in accordance with Neighbourhood Development Plan policy OPG 2 and with Core Strategy policies RA3 and RA5. 

The PPO commented in relation to a suggestion that an agricultural tie should be imposed that condition 5 imposed restrictions on occupation of the dwelling.

The local ward member was given the opportunity to close the debate.  He had no additional comment.

Councillor Shaw proposed and Councillor Baker seconded a motion that the application be approved in accordance with the printed recommendation with the provision of bat tiles. The motion was carried with 12 votes in favour, none against and no abstentions.

RESOLVED: That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions and any further conditions considered necessary by officers named in the scheme of delegation to officers:

1.         A01 Time limit for commencement (full permission)

2.         B01 Development in accordance with approved plans

3.         C01 Samples of external materials

4.         F14 Removal of permitted development rights

5.         The occupation of the dwellings (unit A and Unit B) hereby permitted shall be limited to a person solely or mainly employed or last employed in the business occupying the buildings and land edged in blue on land ownership plan ref. OCLE PYCHARD PL-01 dated 24-05-18

            Reason: In order to conform with Policy SD1 of the Herefordshire Local Plan – Core Strategy, OPG13 of the Ocle  ...  view the full minutes text for item 102