Unrestricted residential use at Redwood House, Dreenhill, Haverfordwest

What was proposed

The application sought removal of the agricultural occupancy condition so the dwelling could be used without occupancy restrictions.

“This application is made under Section 73 of the Town and County Planning Act 1990 and seeks to remove an agricultural occupancy condition imposed on the outline planning permission granted under Local Planning Authority (LPA) reference D2/94/719:”

“The application requests that the above condition be removed from the planning permission to allow for the unrestricted residential use of the subject dwelling.”

Officer report

The site

The existing dwelling is in the countryside about two kilometres from Haverfordwest, within a cluster of buildings surrounded by open fields.

“The application site is an existing property located in the countryside, approximately 2km from the settlement of Haverfordwest. The site is…”

Officer report

Earlier permissions and certificate

The dwelling was approved with an agricultural occupancy condition, while a 2026 lawful development certificate established unrestricted residential occupation after more than ten years’ breach.

“Outline Planning permission reference D2/94/719 conditionally approved, on the 28 th October 1994, the erection of an agricultural worker’s dwelling and new access at the application site which included condition 4 which restricted the occupancy of the dwelling to:”

“Application reference 25/0693/CL granted a certificate of lawful development for the occupancy of the dwelling (known as Redwood House), in breach of the agricultural occupancy condition (Condition 4) of planning permission refs. D2/94/719 (outline) and D2/94/1054 (reserved matters), due to the breach of…”

Officer report

Why officers recommended approval

Although removal conflicted with countryside policy and had not been marketed, the lawful development certificate provided substantial weight outweighing that conflict.

“Policy SP 1 (Sustainable Development) of the Local Development Plan (LDP) is an overarching strategic policy which requires all development to demonstrate how positive economic, social and environmental impacts will be achieved and adverse impacts minimised.”

“Applications for the removal of occupancy conditions are assessed on the basis of whether there is evidence in relation to whether or not the occupancy condition is still required to serve the needs of the locality. Evidence usually takes the form of a marketing exercise where the dwelling has been marketed at a price reflecting the occupancy condition (or updated occupancy condition) for an appropriate period of time.”

Officer report

Biodiversity and water

Native planting, bat and bird boxes provided biodiversity enhancement, while screening found no likely significant effect on the marine conservation site.

“The application has been supported by the submission of a GIS following a step-wise approach which includes the planting of native trees, and details confirm the installation of a bat and bird box to the dwelling which is also shown on the submitted plans which will provide for biodiversity enhancement.”

“The application site is located within the Milford Haven Inner (Pembrokeshire Marine SAC) catchment and any application within the catchment must be screened to evaluate whether a proposal is likely to have a significant effect, alone or in combination, on the SAC.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Highways, landscape and ecology officers raised no objections, the community council gave no response, and no third-party representations were received.

“Head of Transport and Operations (Highways)”

“A.2.5 No third-party representations have been received…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Chief Planning Officer presented the application, and the agent addressed the committee without members asking questions.

What members debated

Members discussed compliance with agricultural occupancy conditions, possible future abuse of the process and concerns about removing the condition.

“There were no questions raised and the Application was then Moved by Councillor Alec Cormack; Seconded by Councillor Alan Dennison.”

“Comments were made by Councillor Alec Cormack regarding compliance by applicants in respect of agricultural occupancy conditions and potential abuse of the process in ten years’ time, Councillor Alan Dennison concurred with those comments. The Chair highlighted that agriculture had changed dramatically with the need for diversification. Councillor Steve Alderman emphasised concerns in respect of removing the agricultural condition from the application.”

Minutes

The vote

The motion was carried by roll-call, with twelve votes for, no votes against and no abstentions.

“The vote, undertaken by way of a roll-call, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows:”

“There were no votes against and no abstentions.”

Minutes