Barn conversion to dwelling at The Barn, Nettleden Road, Hemel Hempstead

The site and building

The site contains a vacant single-storey barn behind mature hedging and trees within the Green Belt and Chilterns National Landscape.

“The application site is located adjacent to Nettleden Road on elevated ground behind mature hedging and trees, approximately 600m to the southeast of Frithsden Village. It is situated within the Green Belt and the Chilterns National Landscape. The site covers an area of approximately 0.18 hectares and contains a single storey vacant barn, which is rectangular in shape, together with a dilapidated small shed to the west.”

“The barn was previously used for the stabling of horses. The dilapidated shed to the west was previously described as a 'chicken coup'. The barn is believed to have a long period of vacancy since planning permission was granted in 2005 for the change of use to a B1 office. There is no evidence to suggest the permission was ever implemented and this permission has since lapsed. The building measures approximately 6m in width by 18m in length, with a height of 2.7m to…”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Earlier permissions allowed office use and residential conversions, including a two-bedroom dwelling approved in December 2023.

“22/02107/FUL - Change of use of vacant barn to dwelling GRANTED - 15th December 2023”

“The above application granted planning permission for the change of use of the barn to a residential dwelling comprising two bedrooms. The approved scheme retained the structure and built form of the barn, with the main alterations being internal and the insertion of windows / doors.”

Officer report

What consultees and residents said

The parish council and local society objected to the more domestic design, while highways raised no objection subject to a gate condition and one neighbour supported it.

“Notice is given under article 22 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 that Hertfordshire County Council as Highway Authority does not wish to restrict the grant of permission subject to the following condition:”

“Reason: To enable vehicles to safely draw off the highway before the gate(s) or obstruction is opened and/or closed in accordance with Policy 5 of Hertfordshire's Local Transport Plan (adopted 2018).”

Officer report

Main objections

Objectors raised concerns about the ridge height, dormer, extensive glazing, light spill, landscape harm and the precedent for other agricultural buildings.

“Objections have been received from Nettleden with Potten End Parish Council and the Nettleden, Frithsden & District Society. The objections are on the grounds that the current proposal would materially increase the building’s domestic appearance compared to the previous approval.”

“Concerns regarding light spill from the additional glazing are acknowledged. However, this would be appropriately controlled through the use of conditions requiring submission of details for external lighting, materials and glazing specification. In terms of precedent, each application must be considered on its own merits having regard to its site-specific circumstances.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A parish councillor and neighbourhood association representative spoke against the application, while the applicant spoke in support.

Why consideration was deferred

The committee agreed to defer the application so members could consider its impact on the setting of the Grade II* listed Ashridge Estate historic park and garden.

“Philip Stanley recommended that Item 5g be deferred to allow for due consideration of the impact of the development on the setting of the Grade II* listed Ashridge Estate historic park and garden. Members agreed to defer the application to a subsequent committee.”

Minutes