Issue - meetings
222316 - LAND AT FOXHALLS FARM, SOLLERS HOPE, HEREFORDSHIRE, HR1 4RN
Meeting: 15/03/2023 - Planning and Regulatory Committee (Item 76)
76 222316 - LAND AT FOXHALLS FARM, SOLLERS HOPE, HEREFORDSHIRE, HR1 4RN 
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Erection of an agricultural workers dwelling, including a new garage and associated works.
Additional documents:
Decision:
Application refused, in accordance with the case officer’s recommendation.
Minutes:
The senior planning officer gave a presentation on the application and the updates/representations received following the publication of the agenda as provided in the update sheet and appended to these minutes.
In accordance with the criteria for public speaking Mr Rogers, the applicant, spoke in support of the application.
In accordance with the council's constitution the local ward member spoke on the application. He explained that the need for the development as an agricultural dwelling had been established and there was widespread public support for the application from the community and the parish council. The design of the development was agricultural in nature and would be sympathetic to the landscape. The building was close to the farm at which the applicant worked. It was proposed that the building would be set into the hillside and not as obtrusive along Much Marcle Ridge as other local houses; the impact on the landscape would be minimal. Utilities to the property would be provided by solar panels and bottled gas.
The committee debated the application.
The local ward member was given the opportunity to close the debate. There was a need for the agricultural dwelling which was less than 250 m away from the farm at which the applicant worked. The building would be set into the hillside by 2 metres and surrounded by hedges and trees limiting the impact on the landscape. The proposed house was of a more sympathetic design than other houses along Much Marcle Ridge.
A motion that the application be refused in accordance with the case officer’s recommendation was proposed by Councillor Polly Andrews and seconded by Councillor Felicity Norman. The motion was put to the vote and was carried by a simple majority.
RESOLVED:
That planning permission be REFUSED for the following reason:
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1. |
The proposed development, by reason of the isolated, skyline location of the site and associated erosion of the landscape character and visual amenity of the area, would cause significant harm to the natural, tree-covered character of Marcle Ridge. The proposal also fails to adequately safeguard mature trees to be retained and runs contrary to the policy requirement for agricultural workers’ dwellings be sited so as to meet the identified functional need within the unit or in relation to other dwellings, most notably, by avoiding isolated locations or locations that could encourage farm fragmentation. Accordingly, the proposal conflicts with Policies RA4 and LD1 of the Herefordshire Local Plan – Core Strategy, Policies ENV-1 and HSG-1 of the How Caple, Sollershope and Yatton Neighbourhood Development Plan and paragraphs 130 and 174 of the National Planning Policy Framework. |
Councillor Probert returned to the meeting at 1:35 p.m.