Commercial log business at Manor Farm, Sudbrooke, Lincoln

What was proposed

The application sought retrospective permission for a commercial log business in an agricultural grain store, with a portacabin for office and welfare use.

“PROPOSAL: Planning application for change of use of an agricultural grain store to a commercial log business, and the stationing of a portacabin on the land.”

“The application is a retrospective change of use application to use a former agricultural grain store as a commercial log business (Lincoln Dry Kiln Dried Logs).”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The site contains a former agricultural building accessed from Church Lane, beside homes and surrounded by agricultural fields.

“Description: The application site is in Sudbrooke and comprises a former steel portal framed agricultural building. The site is accessed off Church Lane to the south with the access leading past a residential bungalow to the west (Post Chase, Church Lane) and onto a yard to the south of the aforementioned agricultural building and then onto the building itself.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The parish council and residents objected, while highways, archaeology and environmental protection officers raised no objection or reported no issues.

“Sudbrooke Parish Council: Objection for following reasons:”

“Environmental Protection: Verbal update no issues reported.”

Officer report

Concerns raised

Residents raised concerns about noise, long hours, vehicle movements, mud, verge damage, visual appearance, ecology, trees and residential amenity.

“Amenity concerns: The scale and nature of the business have the potential to cause disturbance to nearby residents through increased vehicle movements [damage of grass verge], noise, and general activity associated with commercial use.”

“Portacabin and loo directly opposite my boundary. ● Noise issues from inside the building and outside through loading logs etc. ● Wrong plans showing incorrectly showing location of Post Chase as marked as LB [this is a standard map annotation showing the location of a letter box] on the plan. ● Long working hours. ● Bonfires. ● Increased vehicle movements and large container lorries to deliver materials (at times it seems they are weekly).”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s representative supported the proposal, while a statement from residents opposed it and sought impact-mitigating conditions.

What members discussed

Members supported rural diversification, considered the reuse appropriate and viewed operating-hour conditions as stronger control than unrestricted agricultural use.

“During debate, Members expressed support for the proposal and recognised the importance of diversification opportunities for rural businesses. Members of the Committee noted that the reuse of an existing agricultural building for a log storage business represented an appropriate use of the site and considered that conditions relating to operating hours would provide greater control than could be achieved through the site's lawful agricultural use.”

“Committee Members also highlighted the importance of retaining employment opportunities within rural communities and welcomed the reuse of a building which may otherwise remain vacant or become derelict. A Member of the Committee sought clarification regarding any complaints relating to noise nuisance. The Officer advised that Environmental Protection had received no complaints regarding noise associated with the site.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The committee agreed, following a proposal and seconder, to grant planning permission subject to conditions.

“Having been proposed, seconded and voted upon, it was therefore agreed that planning permission be GRANTED subject to the following conditions:”

Minutes