Barn-style dwelling at Agricultural Barn At Loddarts Farm, Woodham Mortimer

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing the existing barn and part of the outbuilding to build a new dwelling and alter the outbuilding.

“Application Number 26/00441/FUL Location Agricultural Barn at Loddarts Farm Lodge Road Woodham Mortimer Proposal Demolition of the existing barn and part of the outbuilding, and erection of a new barn style dwellinghouse with alterations to outbuilding.”

“Planning permission is sought for the demolition of the existing barn and outbuilding and erection of a new dwelling. The application is submitted following the recent approval for the same works under reference number 25/00590/FUL which was also taken to the North Western Area Planning Committee. This application has changed from the 2025 application in the way of design which will be assessed separately in this report.”

Officer report

The site

The site is a rural agricultural barn between Hazeleigh and Woodham Mortimer, surrounded by fields and some nearby homes.

“The application site is location on the southern side of Lodge Road, between the villages of Hazeleigh and Woodham Mortimer. The vacant barn proposed for conversion adjoins the existing gated and entrance to the sire from Lodge Road and comprises a steel portal frame system clad in metal sheet cladding and concrete blocks with corrugated sheet roof.”

“The area is rural in character, the sire being surrounded by mixed use fields, with some residential properties to the east of the site at Kinvara Manor and Lodge Farm.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Earlier permissions covered conversion of the barn and demolition and replacement with a dwelling in the style of the original barn.

“ANY RELEVANT SITE HISTORY • 25/00019/PACUAR – Prior approval for conversion of agricultural barn to one dwellinghouse and for building operations reasonably necessary for the conversion, Prior Approval Granted on 15.04.2025. • 25/00509/FUL – Demolition of the existing barn and outbuilding and erection of a new dwelling in the style of the original barn, went to Northwest Area Committee on 03.12.2025 with officer recommending approval.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Although the site was outside a settlement and considered unsustainable, the existing permission provided a realistic fallback and the proposal was considered acceptable.

“The application site is located outside of a defined settlement boundary and is within the open countryside, and as such the proposed development would constitute a departure from the local plan.”

“As explained in the report, whilst the site is not considered to be in a sustainable location, due to the fallback position that exists at the site by virtue of the recently granted permission, the site is considered acceptable.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Ecology, arboriculture, highways and environmental health consultees raised no objections subject to conditions, while the parish council had made no comments.

“Name of Statutory Consultee / Other Organisation Comment Officer Response Place Services: Ecology No objections subject to conditions relating to ecological appraisal and biodiversity enhancement strategy Noted Place Services: Arboriculture Support subject to conditions relating to retention and Noted…”

Officer report

Public representations

No third-party comments were received about the proposal.

“The application was advertised by way of a site notice posted on 6 August 2026 (with an expiry date for comments set at 27 August 2026). The notice was affixed at eye level to a telegraph pole immediately adjacent to the site.”

“No third party comments have been received in relation to the proposal.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent addressed the committee after the officer presented the application.

The committee vote

Councillor S J N Morgan proposed approval in line with the officer recommendation, and the proposal was approved on a vote.

“Councillor S J N Morgan proposed that the application be approved in line with Officer recommendations. This was duly seconded and upon a vote being taken this proposal was approved.”

Minutes

The decision

The application was approved subject to conditions covering plans, drainage, construction, transport, ecology, trees, hedges and future alterations.

“RESOLVED that the application be APPROVED subject to the following conditions: The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.”

“The materials used in the construction of the development hereby approved shall be as set out within the application form/approved plans.”

Minutes