Mixed agricultural and equestrian use at Land At Church Road, Little Gaddesden, Berkhamsted

“The application seeks retrospective planning permission for a material change in use of the stie to authorise a private equestrian use alongside authorised agricultural use at the site.”

“The applicants are not seeking permission for the retention of two mobile field shelters which they claim do not require consent. The mobile shelters are stated to be primarily used for the storage of hay however they are also used for stabling (winter) and as a shelter for ewes during the lambing season (November to May)”

“The site is crossed by public rights of way. The site lies within the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) (now designated as a National Landscape) and is located within the Rural Area…”

“The northern part of the site adjoins an Area of Archaeological Significance, while other sections fall within the Little Gaddesden Conservation Area. The entire site, together with the surrounding fields, are covered by a series of Article 4 Directions restricting certain permitted development rights. There are no physical boundaries between the application site and neighbouring plots.”

“Planning permission was granted in 2008 (4/00310/08/FUL) for the use of the fields immediately adjacent Church Road and opposite the properties between Bede’s Court and Field House (Plots 1-5) for equestrian purposes. This permission was limited to the keeping of two horses.”

“The Council served relevant enforcement notices (E/21/00312/NPP) and land at Church Road in August 2021. These were subsequently appealed with the appeals being dismissed by the Inspectorate. Appeal A (APP/A1910/C/21/3282333) was against the decision to serve an enforcement notice requiring the removal of a vehicular access and installation of wooden gates, the construction of three timber buildings and a post and wire fence against a joint…”

“This report clearly establishes significant harm to the character and appearance of the rural area, heritage assets and the National Landscape contrary to the NPPF, Policies CS7, CS10, CS12, CS24, CS25, CS26 and CS27 of the Core Strategy and Saved Policies 81, 97, 119 and 120 of the Local Plan 1991-2011.”

“Resolved: That planning permission be REFUSED. It is recommended that planning permission is REFUSED for the following reasons:”

“3) The proposed use of land for a mix of agricultural and equestrian use (and the provision of facilities necessary to undertake this use of the site) would result in significant visual intrusion and harm to the character and appearance of the Little Gaddesden Conservation Area. It would result in harm to the setting of the grade I listed church of St. Peter and St. Paul and may cause harm to archaeological deposits.”