Shepherd’s hut and yurt at Harmony Cottage, Church Street, Bexhill

What was proposed

The application sought retrospective permission for a front-garden shepherd’s hut as holiday accommodation and a rear-garden yurt for a wellbeing business.

“This application seeks planning permission for the retention of a yurt within the rear garden and a Shepherds Hut within the front garden.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The detached dwelling sits in substantial grounds within the Bexhill development boundary and the Bexhill Old Town Conservation Area.

“This application relates to a detached dwelling sitting within substantial grounds, situated within the Bexhill Old Town Conservation Area. The site is accessed via Church Street and sits at the higher ground level above Chantry Lane, which lies to its west screened by the trees to its boundary. Church Farm lies to the north between the site and King Offa Way.”

“The site is within the development boundary for Bexhill as defined within the Development and Site Allocations Local Plan.”

Officer report

Officers’ assessment

Officers considered the amended proposal acceptable because it supported tourism and business uses without undue harm to neighbours, the conservation area or highways.

“While noting the concerns of neighbours, the proposals are considered, as now amended and as could be conditioned, to not result in overt harm to the residential amenities of neighbouring properties.”

“Having considered the current relevant planning policies that pertain to the site, it has been concluded that the proposal would be acceptable in principle and would comply with the Development Plan and that they would not result in undue harm. The application is therefore, recommended for approval subject to conditions.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Environmental Health raised no objection after further information, while two objections and a preservation society comment raised concerns about noise, parking, appearance and permanence.

“Environmental Health: NO OBJECTION No complaints have been received. Initial concerns were raised regarding drainage and drumming but following submission of further details no objections now raised.”

“One comment from Bexhill Old Town Preservation Society summarised: • No direct impact to buildings. • Yurt is incongruous but in rear garden and not open to public view (maybe neighbours). • Shepherd's hut not incongruous but should not be permanent. • Use is outside their remit but do note a significant number of visitors generating a parking demand when events are run. On street parking impacts the character and functioning of the area around the church.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard concerns from a councillor speaking for local ward members and considered consultee comments recorded in the officer report.

The committee vote

Members moved to grant temporary permission for two years, and the motion passed with six votes for and three against.

“Councillor Drayson moved the motion to GRANT (Temporary Planning Permission for two years) subject to planning conditions and this was seconded by Councillor Creaser. The motion was declared CARRIED (6 for / 3 against).”

“DECISION: GRANT (TEMPORARY PLANNING PERMISSION FOR TWO YEARS)”

Minutes

The final decision

The committee granted temporary permission for two years, with the use to end and the land restored by 16 April 2028.

“The use and related development hereby permitted shall be discontinued and the land restored to its former condition on or before the 16 April 2028 in accordance with a scheme of work submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.”

Minutes

Main conditions

Conditions limited the hut to holiday use and restricted the yurt’s timing, courses, student numbers, organisers, music and drumming.

“The Yurt shall only be located within the rear garden between the months of March and October in any calendar year and be used for a maximum of four training courses per calendar year between March and 30 June, with each course not to be run for more than two consecutive days in any calendar month, with a maximum of 10 students at any time and organised and run only by the Applicant, Rachel Streeter.”

“No use of drums or amplified music shall take place at the site and use of the Yurt for the courses hereby approved, shall only take place between the hours of 9.00 and 16:00 on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays but not at any time on Bank or Public Holidays.”

Minutes