Lit track with fencing at Lime Wood, Beaulieu Road, Lyndhurst

What was proposed

The application sought a 160-metre track linking the hotel with a self-contained holiday let, with fencing and lights along its length.

“Consent is sought to construct a track of approximately 160 metres in length. A fence of 1.2 metres in height is proposed to run along the southern edge of the track and lights would be mounted at 10 metre intervals along its length (positioned at 0.85 metres above ground level and mounted on the fence posts).”

“The total width of the proposal (inclusive of the track and fencing) would measure approximately 1.7 metres.”

Officer report

The site

The site is agricultural grazing land in open countryside, near the hotel, a dwelling, protected nature sites and a public right of way.

“The application site (just under 0.2 hectares in size) comprises a parcel of agricultural / grazing land located to the south east of Limewood House Hotel and to the north west of Park Dale Cottage (a detached dwelling which falls within the same ownership as the hotel).”

“For the purposes of planning policy the site lies in open countryside.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Previous permissions included a guesthouse conversion, lake cabin, hotel redevelopment and recreation facilities; a swimming pool enclosure application was refused.

“Addition of swimming pool enclosure (12/97409) refused on 16 July 2012.”

“Recreation facilities (Revisions to the relevant part of Planning Permission 85540) (06/90190) refused on 19 July 2006.”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended refusal because the countryside location was unjustified and the development would harm rural character, tranquillity and the National Park landscape.

“The proposed development lies outside the defined settlement boundary of Lyndhurst, and it is recognised that the Development Plan looks to direct new development towards the most appropriate locations balancing the need for development with the need to protect the countryside.”

“The proposed development would result in a significant incursion of commercial development associated with the neighbouring hotel use onto agricultural land which falls wholly outside the established hotel grounds. The need for a countryside location has not been substantiated and the proposal would fail to enhance the Special Qualities of the New Forest National Park. The proposal would also lead to the potential loss of back up grazing land for New Forest commoners.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The parish council recommended permission, consultees raised landscape and lighting points, and no public representations were received.

“Lyndhurst Parish Council: Recommend permission.”

“Clarification is sought in respect to height of fence posts. • Potential significant impact on the intrinsic quality of the landscape of the location. • Clarification required in respect of installation and operation of external lighting so as to avoid impacts upon rural setting. • Proposed planting should, produce a healthy and robust hedgerow, typical of the New Forest.”

Officer report

Public speakers

A speaker addressed the committee for the proposal, and a representative spoke for Lyndhurst Parish Council.

Why permission was refused

The committee found harmful countryside encroachment, possible loss of grazing land, erosion of rural character, loss of tranquillity and suburbanising effects.

“The proposal would erode the rural character of the area and lead to a loss of tranquillity. Furthermore, it would fail to enhance landscape character through high quality design, would not respond to local distinctiveness, would not be contextually appropriate and would lead to a harmful suburbanising impact. The proposed development would therefore be contrary to Policies SP1, SP7, DP2, SP15 and SP17 of the New Forest National Park Local Plan 2016- 2036 (August 2019).”

Minutes