Garden, vegetable area and meadow at Old Furzton Cottage, Maidenwells, Pembroke

What was proposed

The application sought to change agricultural land into a garden, vegetable growing area and wildflower meadow or grove, with planting shown on an indicative plan.

“This application seeks planning permission for the change of use of the land to a garden, vegetable growing area and wildflower meadow/grove.”

“An indicative plan has been provided which shows a grassed area, an area to be cultivated and an area for planting, including for trees and wildflowers.”

Officer report

The site

The approximately 0.4-hectare site forms part of a larger hedged agricultural field in the countryside beside the dwelling.

“The application site comprises approximately 0.4 hectare of land which forms part of a larger agricultural field enclosed by hedgerow boundaries. The site is located in the countryside, approximately 500 metres to the south-east of Maidenwells and to the east of the dwelling known as Old Furzton Cottage.”

Officer report

The recommendation

Approval was recommended with conditions controlling the plans, layout, landscaping, structures and biodiversity enhancements.

“It is recommended that the application be APPROVED subject to the following conditions:”

“Standard time limit for commencement of development • Development in accordance with the indicative amended plan • Detailed layout plan to be submitted for approval • Submission of landscape scheme for the wildflower meadow/grove and proposed native hedge to the southern boundary, including maintenance • No buildings or structures to be constructed within the application site • Implementation of biodiversity enhancement features…”

Officer report

Why approval was advised

The proposal conflicted slightly with countryside policies, but its limited landscape impact and environmental enhancements were considered sufficient to outweigh that conflict.

“The details of the scheme must be considered in relation to policies GN.1 (General Development Policy) and GN.2 (Sustainable Design) of the LDP, which require all development to be compatible with the character and capacity of the site and locality. The application site would be accessed from the garden of Old Furzton Cottage, the existing domestic fence separating the dwelling from the application site is shown to be retained.”

“Further conditions are required for a detailed site plan and a planting scheme for the new boundary hedge, including species, size, density and timescale for planting. As such, it is considered that by reason of the scale and nature of the proposal, that it would not have a detrimental visual impact on the area. It is considered that the…”

Officer report

Consultation and representations

The community council gave no response, and publicity produced no third-party representations.

“Publicity of the application has been undertaken, no third party representations have been received.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The planning officer presented the application, and the Chair read a statement because the applicant could not attend.

Members’ discussion

Members considered the balance between the loss of best and most versatile agricultural land and the expected biodiversity benefits, while discussing boundary retention.

“The Chair then invited Councillor Steve Alderman as the Local Member, to address the Committee. Councillor Alderman had been concerned at the loss of best and most versatile agricultural land; however, as the applicant’s statement had advised that it would be managed appropriately and would therefore likely have a significant increase in insects, he was supportive and Moved the application for approval; Seconded by Councillor John Cole.”

“Councillor Simon Hancock concurred with remarks from the Local Member regarding the importance of balance between loss of best and most versatile agricultural land and biodiversity gains.”

Minutes

The vote

The roll-call vote supported approval 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

The decision

The application was approved subject to the recommended conditions.

“That the application be APPROVED subject to the conditions outlined in Section 1.1 of the report.”

Minutes