Issue - meetings

Proposal Description: Item 12: (AMENDED DESCRIPTION) Change of use of land farm agriculture to provide 3 no. shepherd’s huts for tourism use (class C3); the self-build conversion of a redundant barn to provide accommodation in the form of a single storey two bedroomed facility to enable the running of a business

The application was introduced. During public participation, Rob Medway spoke in support of the application and answered Members' questions thereon.

Councillor Pett spoke as Ward Member (also on behalf of Meonstoke and Corhampton Parish Council) in support of the application. In summary,      

Councillor Pett raised the following points:

1.    He was speaking as both the Ward Member and the Chair of the local Parish Council. He stated that the case was unique as the proposal had been carefully crafted by the applicant, lifelong resident of the farm, rather than by a commercial developer.

2.    The proposal was a realistic and well-researched plan to meet a demonstrable market need for tourist accommodation, given the site's proximity to the South Downs Way where existing accommodation was in high demand.

3.    He disagreed with the officer's report, which he believed had incorrectly characterised the proposal as being principally for market housing and therefore contrary to policy SD25. He argued that the report's premise, that there was no justification for the operator to live on-site, was subjective and not supported by policy.

4.    He contended that policy SD41, concerning the reuse of redundant agricultural buildings, was of greater importance. He highlighted that this policy made provision for "succession housing" for former agricultural or forestry workers, a category the applicant fell into.

5.    The proposal also met two exceptions within the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) for development in the countryside: the reuse of redundant buildings that enhance their immediate setting, and the essential need for a rural worker to live at or near their place of work.

6.    While the officer's report noted the design would have a "benign effect," he suggested that constructing a small bungalow within a derelict barn constituted the "required enhancement of the setting" as stipulated by policy.

7.    He explained that the Parish Council had not formally commented due to some members' anxiety about setting a precedent for new development. However, several members had submitted individual statements of support, and the wider village community was fulsome in its support for the applicant's family.

8.    The applicant would be happy to be conditioned to ensure the conversion remained an essential part of the business and was not disposed of separately. He would also be proactive in providing transparent updates on the business's progress.

9.    Councillor Pett concluded that to characterise the application as "new market housing in the countryside" was factually incorrect. Instead, it was a prime example of the intent behind policies SD23 and SD41, creating a new tourism business, reusing redundant buildings, and providing employment and accommodation for a lifelong local resident.

The Committee proceeded to ask questions and debate the application.

            RESOLVED

                        The committee agreed to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11