Decision details

Proposal Description: Item 12: The partial change of use of agricultural barn to office and storage use and use of part of the yard area for parking; External alterations to provide new windows and doors and new mezzanine internally

The application was introduced. During public participation, Samuel Hiscock spoke in support of the application and answered Members’ questions thereon.

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

·       Made reference to several previously refused planning applications and unresolved issues with Winchester City Council concerning the area.

·       He stated that the original lawful use of the land was defined as mixed-use for agriculture, private keeping and exercising of horses, and a maximum of six horses for private and DIY livery.

·       Referenced past refused applications, including:

-       Replacement residential mobile home with a detached three-bedroom dwelling and detached garage (application 01607).

-       Retrospective application for a change of use to a forklift training facility and training area, which was refused due to conflict with policies MTR4 and CP8 of the Winchester Local Plan Part 1 (application 01 1814).

-       Change of use to brick and tile sales and storage facilities (applications 1926 and 274).

-       Certificate of lawfulness application rejection, associated enforcement notice, and failed appeal regarding the use of land for brick sales (application 2023/00472).

-       Extraction of 230,000 tons of soft sand and phased restoration involving up to 435,000 tons of clean inert waste material, refusal included the dangerous farmyard entrance (application 2020 HCS 1483).

·       Councillor Achwal argued that the planning statement's suggestion of removing existing portable buildings lacked a firm commitment.

·       Suggested that approving the current application would contradict the conditions of the original land use grant.

·       In conclusion, Councillor Achwal urged the committee to reject the planning 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