Erection of a farm dwelling with double garage.

The Principal Planning Officer reported the following:

• Newton Parish Council make the following observations:

“The Council wish to support this application as it complies with all the criteria for new agricultural dwellings.

The proposed new dwelling is sited near the present farm complex and is well off the road and will not impinge on the landscape.  No new access roads are required.

Mr. John Powell has recently had several serious operations which have rendered him unable to undertake any strenuous physical work.  It is imperative that his son Mark takes a more active part in the work and management of the farm to make it viable. This can only be achieved if he lives closer to the farm.”

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr Herdman, representing Newton parish Council and Mr. Howie, the applicant’s agricultural consultant, spoke in support of the application.

Councillor JB Williams, the local ward member, noted the officer’s comments regarding the utilisation of existing buildings but confirmed that all of the existing farm buildings were used for agricultural purposes. He advised members that the access was acceptable and although visibility was limited to the right, a series of bends in the road prior to the entrance would slow vehicles down considerably. He also felt that young farm workers should be encouraged to remain in the area and therefore felt that the application should be approved contrary to the officer’s recommendation.

In response to a question from the Southern Team Leader, the local ward member confirmed that he felt that an agricultural occupancy condition would be beneficial to the application.

Councillor MJ Fishley advised members that the applicant currently resided in her ward and had to commute to the farm on a daily basis, she felt that this was unacceptable and supported the application fully.

Councillor JG Jarvis noted his concerns in respect of the application. He felt that it was contrary to policy H7 and H8 of the Unitary Development Plan and therefore felt that it should be refused. He felt that members were being led by the emotive nature of the application and felt that if they were keen to approve applications of this nature they should consider amending the UDP prior to doing so.

A number of members commented on the application and felt that the current arrangement was unacceptable for the applicant. They also felt that the application was not contrary to policy H7 and H8 of the UDP.

In response to a number of points raised by members the Southern Team Leader confirmed that the applicants parents would be permitted to live in the new dwelling as the agricultural occupancy condition permitted this. He also confirmed that the application was contrary to policy H8 which was based on national planning policy. He felt that there was a functional requirement for an agricultural dwelling on the site but that this requirement could be met by the existing farm dwelling.

RESOLVED

The Southern Area Planning Sub-Committee is minded to approve the application subject to the conditions set out below (and any further conditions felt to be necessary by the Head of Planning Services) provided that the Head of Planning Services does not refer the application to the Planning Committee.

E28      The occupation of the dwelling shall be limited to a person solely or mainly working or last working, in the locality in agriculture or in forestry, or a widow or widower of such a person, and to any resident dependants.

If the Head of Planning Services does not refer the application to the Planning Committee, officers named in the Scheme of Delegation to Officers be instructed to approve the application to such conditions referred to above.

[Note:            Following the vote on this application, the Development Control Manager advised that he would refer the decision to the Head of Planning Services.]