Workshop and site redevelopment at Holland and Holland Shooting School & Ashby Farm Ducks, Northwood

“Planning permission is sought for the comprehensive redevelopment of the Ashby Farm site to provide a new workshop facility for use by Holland & Holland. The proposal comprises the demolition of all existing buildings within the site, with the exception of the centrally located timber-framed barn, which would be retained and incorporated into the development.”

“The development would involve the change of use of part of the site from its existing lawful general storage and private equestrian uses to a workshop use falling within Use Class E(g)(iii). The proposal would deliver a new workshop building arranged around the retained barn, together with associated parking, servicing areas, hard and soft landscaping, sustainable drainage infrastructure and biodiversity enhancements.”

“The application site comprises Ashby Farm, which forms part of the wider Holland & Holland Shooting Ground estate, located on the western side of Ducks Hill Road, Northwood. The site lies within the Metropolitan Green Belt and is situated opposite the Ruislip Woods National Nature Reserve, which is designated as a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation.”

“The wider Holland & Holland estate extends to 40 hectares and includes the main shooting ground facilities, comprising reception and function buildings, an underground shooting range, workshops and storage buildings. The estate also contains two staff dwellings known as Ashby Cottages, together with Ashby Farm, which comprises a farmhouse, a collection of former agricultural and storage buildings, areas of hardstanding and land used for equestrian purposes.”

“The most relevant planning history relates to application ref. 41892/APP/2023/666, which was approved on 24 August 2023 and granted a Certificate of Lawful Development for the existing use of the land and buildings at Ashby Farm for general storage and private equestrian purposes. The certificate confirms the lawful use of the site and establishes the site as previously developed land for the purposes of Green Belt policy.”

“The planning history demonstrates the long-established presence of the Holland & Holland Shooting Ground and associated ancillary facilities at this location, together with the lawful use of Ashby Farm for storage and equestrian purposes. The current proposal seeks the redevelopment of the Ashby Farm site within this established operational context.”

“This application seeks full planning permission for the comprehensive redevelopment of Ashby Farm to provide a replacement workshop, associated parking, landscaping and supporting infrastructure, whilst retaining the central timber -framed barn.”

“The principal planning considerations are the acceptability of the development within the Green Belt (impact on openness and the principle of the proposed use ), design, heritage, ecology, residential amenity, highways, drainage and other technical matters. The site benefits from a lawful use for general storage and private equestrian purposes and constitutes previously developed land for the purposes of national Green Belt policy.”

“Members queried whether the substantial increase in building volume proposed would result in significant harm to the openness of the Green Belt. Officers acknowledged that the proposal would result in an increase in the volume of buildings on the site. However, they advised that Green Belt assessments considered a range of factors in addition to building volume, including the extent of hardstanding, the spread of development across the site and the overall visual impact.”

“Members asked about disposal of waste materials generated through workshop operations, including metal waste, oils and solvents, how waste would be managed and whether any waste would be discharged locally. Officers advised that conditions would prevent external manufacturing processes, external storage of materials or waste, and any associated operations outside the approved buildings.”

“Officers’ recommendations were moved, seconded and when put to a vote, unanimously agreed.”

“RESOLVED: That the application be approved…”