Issue - meetings

Councillor Chris Mitchell left the room at 7.11pm.

The Planning Officer provided the following update:

It is noted that there are two structures currently on site, a timber structure, and a disused portacabin. The applicant has confirmed that these would be removed from site. However, officers consider that it would be reasonable to add one further condition requiring the structures to be removed prior to commencement of the development.

The height of the stables referred to in paragraph 3.6 as 4.8m, should be amended to read 4m.

A further comment has been received from Croxley Parish Council in respect of the re-consultation as follows:

The Parish Council maintains their concerns over creeping development within the Green Belt. The Parish Council wishes to draw attention to the condition of the wall around the site and ask that it be rebuilt wherever necessary immediately and maintained in perpetuity as a condition of granting of any planning permission.

In response, the red line on the plan does not appear to extend to the extent of the boundary which the wall is located on. Therefore, the wall is outside of the application site. Notwithstanding this, it would be unreasonable to require this via a condition, as the wall is not related to the development and therefore it would not be considered necessary or reasonable to add a condition in this regard.

Little Green Residents Association comment is not outlined in full in the report, the comments have been addressed, however, in short, they do raise concerns about what is being grown in the polytunnels, drainage impacts, and the impact of people stopping to look at the Alpacas.

One additional neighbour comment has been received:

In summary, this sets out that new buildings are inappropriate in the green belt, exceptions to this include buildings for agriculture and forestry which would not have a greater impact on openness than existing development. The proposed development would not meet this exception for a number of reasons including that the wall which limits views into the site is not ‘existing development’ and that the new structures would be prominent. As such very special circumstances would be required which have not been presented.

In response and as set out in 7.2.5 of the officer’s report, Paragraph 154 of the NPPF does not stipulate that buildings needed for forestry/agriculture should preserve openness of the Green Belt. It does not require local planning authorities to consider where they would result in greater harm than existing development.  The report sets out why the development meets the relevant exceptions and is therefore acceptable within the Green Belt. Officers do not consider that very special circumstances are required.

Mr. Lloyd, the agent for the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

Members raised concerns about the potential future repurposing of the buildings for residential or business use, inquiring about conditions that could prevent such changes.

The officer clarified that planning permission would be required for any change of use and outlines existing conditions related to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58