Conversion of part of existing domestic stable building to provide a two bedroom dwelling house

The proposal was for the conversion of the eastern part of an existing barn building to a two bedroom dwelling. The works required would be internal to separate the residential aspect from the stabling, with a residential curtilage to the northern and eastern sides of the building. The existing access to the south of the site would be utilised, with the existing hardstanding used for parking.

The site comprises a large open paddock, which lay directly adjacent to the rear boundary of Greenlands Farm house. It was generally bounded by mature hedging. It was situated within the Metropolitan Green Belt and the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

On 1 August 2012 the Development Control Committee had previously approved an application for the same part of the building to be used for a holiday let.

Members’ attention was drawn to the tabled Late Observations sheet.

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Against the Application:       Jan Ryan

For the Application:              Mark Batchelor

Parish Representative:         Christine Thompson

Local Member:                      Cllr. Neal

In response to a question Officers confirmed steps would be installed externally to the property, comparable to the application for the holiday let.

It was MOVED by the Chairman and was duly seconded that the recommendation in the report, as amended by the Late Observations Sheet, to grant permission subject to conditions be adopted.

Members were concerned that residential use would have an unacceptable impact upon the openness of the Green Belt.

It was suggested that, if allowed, the conversion to residential use would set a precedent for other local holiday lets.

The previous permission for conversion to a holiday let had been granted due to the very special circumstances of promoting the rural economy as encouraged by Policy SP8 of the Core Strategy. However no such circumstances existed for the present application.

The previously granted permission had also depended upon domestic paraphernalia being placed in the curtilage of the main house, Greenalnds Farm. Residential use would likely create much greater impact through patios, sheds and garages.

It was felt the residential amenities would be inadequate for the new residential property to be created.

Several Members added that were permission to be granted then it would be important for the residential property to be tied to the ownership of the main house, Greenalnds Farm.

The motion was put to the vote and the Chairman declared the motion to be LOST unanimously. It was MOVED by the Vice-Chairman and was duly seconded:

That planning permission be REFUSED on grounds of the harm to the openness to the Green Belt.

An alteration to the motion was agreed to include the reason that the application undermined the sustainability of the rural economy under Policy SP8 of the Core Strategy.

A further alteration was agreed that the reasons for refusal be specified by Officers taking into account the points raised in debate and following discussion with the Local Member and the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Committee.

The motion was put to the vote and it was unanimously –

Resolved: That planning permission be REFUSED. Reasons to be confirmed by Officers taking into account those matters raised in debate and following discussion with the Local Member and the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Committee.