Decision details

Consultations, representations, policy and guidance, and the site’s planning history were detailed in the officer’s report, which formed part of the agenda pack for the meeting.

The planning officer reported that the recommendation in the report to grant planning permission was consistent with the Council’s approach elsewhere with similar applications. Whilst the site lay outside the built-up limits of Lewknor, within an area where there were strict controls over the provision of new housing, the current scheme was no less sustainable than the extant prior approval scheme that it would replace. Officers were satisfied that the alternative redevelopment proposal would be more sympathetic to the defining rural character of the surroundings and there would be general improvements to the appearance of the land and the relationship with the public realm. There were no overriding issues in terms of highway safety, neighbouring amenity, ecology or environmental impacts.

Councillor Caroline Newton, the local ward councillor, spoke objecting to the application.

The Committee considered that the existing barn structure was valued by local residents and the Lewknor Parish Council. Notwithstanding the existing  permitted development rights, they also considered that the design, size and form of the proposed barn would have the effect of ‘suburbanising’ the rural character of the local area.

A motion proposed and seconded, to refuse planning permission because of harm to the character of the area was declared carried upon being put to the vote.

RESOLVED: to refuse planning permission for application P19/S0909/FUL for the following reason:

1. Harm to the character of the area.