Rural worker’s dwelling at Land At Sandons Farm, Kates Lane, Ashdon

What was proposed

The application proposed a tied self-build home for an agricultural worker, with a two-bay cart shed, driveway and access from the existing farm drive.

“PROPOSAL: Erection of new agriculturally tied self-build dwelling at Sandons Farm, associated 2-bay cartshed, new driveway and vehicular access from existing private driveway to Sandons Farm…”

Officer report

The site

The site was a grazed paddock in open countryside outside Ashdon, opposite the farmhouse, with nearby public rights of way and flood-zone areas.

“The site comprises a grazed paddock of approximately 0.8 hectares located to the north of Kates Lane, opposite the existing farmhouse Old Sandons. The land rises gently away from the lane and watercourse and is enclosed by hedgerows and vegetation, with no existing buildings on the paddock. Public rights of way run along the northern, western and southern boundaries.”

“The surrounding area is predominantly rural and agricultural in character, with dispersed farmsteads, paddocks and woodland. The site lies outside the built limits of Ashdon, within open countryside.”

Officer report

Planning history

The report said there was no relevant site history and no pre-application advice or applicant-led consultation known to the council.

“There has not been any pre app advice and to the LPA’s knowledge there has not been a consultation exercise carried out by the applicant in accordance best practice and the Statement of Community Involvement.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because they found an essential agricultural need, limited harm and no unacceptable effects, subject to conditions including an occupancy restriction.

“The development has been comprehensively assessed against all relevant material considerations, including design and landscape impact, residential amenity, ecology and biodiversity, flood risk, highways access and parking, accessibility and sustainability. Subject to appropriate planning conditions, no statutory or technical objections have been raised.”

“In undertaking the overall planning balance, significant weight has been afforded to the demonstrated agricultural need for on-site accommodation, the support this would provide to the rural enterprise, and the absence of material harm arising from the development.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The highway authority and technical consultees raised no objections subject to conditions, while the parish council sought balance on flooding, sustainability and countryside impacts.

“Location and flood concerns: The Parish Council noted that the site lies outside the development limits in open countryside and raised concerns about flooding on Kates Lane and the proximity of the site to a tributary of the River Bourne, requesting further detail on drainage and flood risk management.”

“Agricultural need and sustainability: While acknowledging the animal welfare arguments and the submitted Agricultural Dwelling Appraisal, the Parish Council queried the scale and long-term sustainability of the farming enterprise, including reliance on off-site grazing land, and noted difficulty in assessing viability from the information publicly available.”

Officer report

What people said

One neighbouring farmer supported the proposal, citing the working livestock farm, animal welfare needs and benefits for the rural community.

“A neighbouring farmer fully supports the proposal, confirming Sandons Farm is an active working farm with a successful livestock (sheep) enterprise, where on-site accommodation is a genuine operational need.”

“It is considered essential for animal welfare that someone lives on site, as livestock issues can arise at any time, day or night.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent spoke in support, and Councillor Moran addressed the committee, saying the conditions helped and the parish council was not opposed.

Members’ questions

Officers told members the proposal was modest, drainage concerns were covered by conditions, the home was in Flood Zone 1 and occupation was restricted.

“In response to questions from Members, officers: • Said that the comparative analysis had been done for context and the proposal was modest in scale. • Said that all drainage concerns had been addressed within the conditions. • Said that the proposed property was in Flood Zone 1. • Said that Condition 3 adequately addressed the occupation of the property by a rural worker only.”

Minutes

The vote

Councillor Emanuel proposed approval and Councillor Sutton seconded the motion.

“Councillor Emanuel proposed approval of the application, and this was seconded by Councillor Sutton.”

Minutes

The decision

The committee authorised the Strategic Director of Planning to grant conditional permission subject to the report’s conditions.

“RESOLVED that the Strategic Director of Planning be authorised to grant conditional permission for the development subject to those items set out in section 17 of the report- Conditions.”

Minutes