Agenda item

Refurbishment and extension of existing farm house and conversion of two farm out-buildings and yard to residential use, including amenity garden space and off-street parking.

The committee considered applications P16/S2359/FUL and P16/S2360/LB to refurbish and extend the existing farmhouse and to convert two outbuildings and yard to residential use, including amenity garden space and off-street parking at Hunts Farm, Harpsden Bottom, Harpsden.

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 this meeting.

Officer update: Following a site visit, it was recommended that an extra condition be included as follows: the fold yard as identified on drawing number 1.20 rev F shall be solely used for the parking of vehicles and for no other purpose including any residential buildings or chattels unless the prior written permission of the Local Planning Authority has been sought and granted.

Kester George, a representative of Harpsden parish council, spoke objecting to the application. His concerns included the following:

·         The parish council has no objection to the conversion of the barn or dairy, but has serious objections to them being for residential use;

·         It would constitute overdevelopment on a rural site in the AONB;

·         Concerns for traffic site due to the barn jutting out into the road; and

·         Concerns for the effect on the historic setting.

Rhian Woods, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support of the application:

·         The objections have been addressed in the latest application;

·         The conservation officer finds the proposal acceptable; and

·         The application has been carefully and sensitively designed and will be an important contribution to the AONB.

Paul Harrison, one of the local ward councillors, requested that the views of the Henley Archaeological and Historical Groups views are taken into account.

The committee considered the application, with advice from officers where appropriate. Their discussion centred on the need to protect the buildings for the future and that by converting them to residential use would ensure this.

A motion, moved and seconded, to approve the application for planning permission with an extra condition relating to the fold yard, was declared carried on being put to the vote.

RESOLVED: to grant planning permission for application P16/S2359/FUL, subject to the following conditions:

1.    Commencement of development within three years.

2.    Development to be carried out in accordance with the approved plans.

3.    Schedule of materials to be agreed prior to commencement of development.

4.    Boundary walls and fences to be agreed prior to commencement of development.

5.    Surface of car parking area/fold yard to be agreed prior to commencement of development.

6.    Development to be carried out in accordance with biodiversity mitigation measures.

7.    New vehicular access to be formed in accordance with highway authority’s specifications.

8.    Existing vehicular access to be improved in accordance with the highway authority’s specifications.

9.    Parking and manoeuvring areas to be provided in accordance with the approved plans.

10.Archaeological investigation to be agreed prior to commencement of development.

11.Archaeological evaluation to be carried out.

12.The fold yard as identified on drawing number 1.20 rev F shall be solely used for the parking of vehicles and for no other purpose including any residential buildings or chattels unless the prior written permission of the Local Planning Authority has been sought and granted.

A motion, moved and seconded, to grant listed building consent, was declared carried on being put to the vote.

RESOLVED: to grant listed building consent for application P16/S2360/LB subject to the following conditions:

1.    Commencement of works within three years.

2.    Works to be carried out in accordance with the approved plans.

3.    Schedule of materials to be agreed prior to commencement of works.

4.    Joinery details to be agreed prior to commencement of works.

5.    Method statement for repairs to be agreed.