Garden pod and polytunnel at Land To The North-East Of Lan Farm Pen-y-wal Road To Lan Quarry Graig-wen Pontypridd

What was proposed

The application sought a garden pod and retrospective permission to retain a polytunnel for an agricultural site.

“Full planning permission is sought, in retrospect, for the retention of a polytunnel on a parcel of agricultural land which is located to the north-east of Lan Farm, Graigwen, Pontypridd.”

Officer report

The site

The agricultural land lies beside Lan Farm, is accessed by a rutted track, and is within the Cwm Clydach Special Landscape Area.

“The application site is currently in agricultural use and relates to one of several field parcels located on the periphery of Graigwen and to the north of Pontypridd town centre. The holding, known as plot 13, is located to the north-east of Lan Farm and is accessed via a rutted track off Pen-y-Wal Road.”

“The entire agricultural unit, as referenced on the submitted site location plan, is located within an identified Special Landscape Area (Cwm Clydach) and within a Sandstone Resource Region.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier applications for polytunnels, a barn and shipping containers included several refusals and nearby approvals for polytunnels.

“24/0202/DEM: Agricultural Land – Polytunnels Prior Approval Required and Prior Approval is Refused, 19/04/2024.”

“The following applications are also considered to be of relevance, inasmuch as they are located nearby to the application site.”

Officer report

Why officers recommended approval

Officers considered the small-scale agricultural structures proportionate and acceptable in the countryside, with limited landscape, highway, amenity and biodiversity effects.

“Therefore, given the foregoing, the development could be considered justified, with the polytunnel and pod representing small scale infrastructure, reflective of the scale of the enterprise, which would be considered ancillary and proportionate to the existing agricultural use of the land.”

“In this context, the polytunnel proposed is typical in construction, consisting of a steel hoop frame covered with polythene sheeting, and could be considered visually appropriate within an agricultural field such as this, whether that be for the agricultural use intended or for diversification within a farm environment.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways, ecology and trees raised no objections; public health and protection also raised no objection but recommended conditions.

“Highways and Transportation: No objection, nor conditions suggested. • Public Health and Protection: No objection, conditions recommended. • RCT Ecologist: No objection, subject to condition. • Mining Remediation Authority – Material Consideration. • RCT Tree Officer – No objection.”

“No other consultation responses have been received.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant and an objector addressed the committee, and the applicant responded to the objector’s comments.

The committee decision

The committee resolved to approve the application in accordance with the recommendation of the Director of Housing and Regeneration.

“The Head of Planning presented the application to Committee and following consideration it was RESOLVED to approve the application in accordance with the recommendation of the Director, Housing and Regeneration.”

Minutes

Conditions of approval

Approval included an approved-plan requirement, grassland management, no direct retail sales, restrictions on the pod, and controls on further structures.

“Proposed Agricultural Pod Plans and Elevations • Existing Polytunnel Plans and Elevations • Existing Block Plan • Proposed Block Plan • Site Location Plan (received 25/06/2026) • Green Infrastructure Statement…”

“Notwithstanding the submitted details, within 2 months of the date of this consent a 5 Year Grassland Management Plan shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The biodiversity enhancement measure shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.”

Officer report