Temporary workers’ dwelling at Land At Fairy Cross

What was proposed

The application sought a three-bedroom, single-storey log cabin for a temporary agricultural worker’s dwelling, limited to three years if approved.

“Proposed Development: The proposal seeks full planning permission for a single‑storey, three‑bedroom log cabin with an internal floor area of approximately 80m². The building would measure around 13.41m in length, 5.96m in width and 2.91m in height.”

“The applicant is seeking temporary consent, and any approval would therefore be restricted to a period of three years.”

Officer report

The site and access

The countryside site contains an existing calf-rearing building and is served by a narrow lane with poor visibility where it meets the A39.

“The application site measures 456.3 square metres within a wider holding amounting to 2.14 hectares. It includes an existing building measuring 32m by 12.19m, approved subject to a planning application 1/1054/2022/FUL. The Planning Statement and Officer Site Visit confirms that this building has been constructed (in 2023) and has been used for the rearing of calves.”

“The application site is served by a narrow rural lane connecting the development to the A39 (to the north). The junction onto the A39 is narrow benefits from poor visibility in both directions.”

Officer report

Earlier agricultural building

An earlier application for an agricultural building was approved in 2023, and that building was constructed and used for rearing calves.

“1/1054/2022/FUL General purpose agricultural building to include machinery and fodder store and livestock housing PER 13.01.2023”

Officer report

Why officers recommended refusal

Officers found insufficient evidence of a full-time functional need or financially viable enterprise, while the access and junction presented significant safety concerns.

“Your Officer concurs with the findings of the Standard Man‑Day calculation (SMD) and accepts its conclusion that the enterprise currently generates a requirement for approximately 0.73 workers. For the avoidance of doubt, this does not demonstrate a need for a full‑time worker.”

“It is acknowledged that additional buildings may, in principle, have merit given the general local and national policy support surrounding the agricultural sector. However, any future proposal is likely to conflict with the harmful access arrangements onto the A39, which have already been identified as a significant constraint. Given this, the likelihood of the future plan being delivered is low.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A member of the public spoke against the application, while a member of the public, the agent and the [name withheld] spoke in support or addressed the committee.

What members debated

Members discussed traffic movements, junction safety, the previous access approval, financial evidence, the labour calculation, rural business and the relevance of slurry concerns.

“Councillor Whittaker stated that she had visited the site and experienced no issues using the lane up to the site or exiting the junction. She concluded that she believed the highways concerns were overstated. She also voiced that the slurry and waste concerns raised by the Parish Council were not relevant to the current application.”

“The Chair expressed concerns that the standard labour requirement calculation of 0.73 did not support the need for a full-time worker. She also raised concerns about the lack of a detailed business plan and insufficient financial information.”

Minutes

The final decision

The application was approved subject to conditions, including an agricultural occupancy restriction and a temporary time limit.

“That the application be approved, subject to conditions to be drafted by Officers in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair, including an agricultural occupancy restriction and a temporary time limit.”

Minutes