Decision details

Proposal Description: Item 8: Erection of a building to store a tractor and hay, access alterations and new track to building, fencing and new entrance gates. 

The application was introduced. Members were referred to the Update Sheet which set out a proposed change to condition 7 to remove reference to foul drainage.

In addition, a verbal update was provided by the case officer at the meeting following highway comments received on 6 February 2024 raising no objection to the application, but requesting further information in relation to vehicle tracking to indicate that vehicles can pull off the road and turn before exiting the site. An additional condition had been drafted and shared with highways requesting that this information be submitted prior to the commencement of development. The wording of this additional condition had been agreed by Hampshire Highways.

During public participation, Councillor Jonathan Carkeet (on behalf of Curdridge Parish Council) spoke in objection to the application and Michael Knappett spoke in support of the application and answered Members’ questions thereon.

Councillor Sudhakar Achwal spoke as Ward Member. In summary, Councillor Achwal raised the following points:

·       Spoke in objection to the application. The change of use was agreed in 2021. Raised concerns regarding the sizing of the buildings, particularly the barn.

·       Expressed concern that the barn would be used to store 200 bales of hay and was intended to feed one horse when 40 bales of hay would sustain one horse for a period of a year. Stated that the storage of 200 bales of hay was excessive for one horse.

·       The size and the impact of the barn was therefore considered out of keeping and excessive in a countryside location.

·       Contrary to policies DM12 and MTRA(3) and urged the committee to refuse the application currently proposed.

At the conclusion of public speaking, the Corporate Head of Planning and Regulatory Services proposed an amendment to condition 6 to remove the wording ‘for the purposes of agriculture’, if the committee were minded to approve the application.

The Committee proceeded to ask questions and debate the application.

          RESOLVED:

The committee agreed to grant permission for the reasons and subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the Report, the Update Sheet and the verbal update set out above, subject to the additional condition as set out in (i) below.

(i)             An amendment to condition 6 to remove the wording ‘for the purposes of agriculture’.