Large rural dwelling at Land At Cairnhill, Turriff

What was proposed

The application sought permission for a large two-storey, five-bedroom detached house with an integrated garage and private drainage.

“The applicant proposes to erect a large 2 storey, 5 bedroom, detached dwelling house with integrated garage. The proposed dwelling would measure 22.5 metres in length and have a width of 22.3metres approximately at the longest points. The height to the eaves would measure 4.3 metres and would have a ridge height of 8 metres approximately.”

“The proposal will be serviced by a private drainage arrangement. Foul drainage would be treated by a treatment plant discharging to a soakaway located in what would be the garden ground of the proposed house. Surface water would be treated via a surface water soakaway. The applicant is accompanied by Ground Assessment and Recommendation Report by S.A.McGregor.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is agricultural land in the countryside and Remote Rural Area, about 2.7 kilometres northwest of Cuminestown, beside the Cairnhill farm hub.

“The application site is in the countryside and within the Remote Rural Area as defined by Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2023 and sits approximately 2.7km northwest of the defined settlement of Cuminestown. The site measures 0.36ha and is fairly level but rise up towards the north. The site is agricultural land and was once part of a tree belt, with the entire tree belt being flattened in a storm.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended refusal because existing homes could accommodate the essential farm worker and biodiversity enhancement measures had not been demonstrated.

“The planning authority considers that the application is for a development that is not in accordance with National Planning Framework 4 and Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2023. The principle of development fails to comply with Policy 17 Rural homes of NPF4 and Policy R1 Special Rural Areas of the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2023.”

“The principle of development fails to comply with Policy 17 Rural homes of NPF4 and Policy R1 Special Rural Areas Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2023. While the applicant has demonstrated that there is a requirement for an essential worker to live on site, the applicant has two existing dwelling houses within their ownership that could accommodate that worker.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Senior Planner introduced the application, followed by an oral representation from the applicant and the agent.

What members discussed

Members questioned the availability of other houses, the retiring farmer’s position, agricultural land quality, and the need for the worker to live at the farm.

“During discussion, the Councillors asked about the other houses on the site and why they were not available to [name withheld]; queried whether the retiring farmer wished to remain on site; clarified that the site was not on prime agricultural land; and confirmed that it was essential for [name withheld] to reside on site at the farm due to the livestock.”

“It was clarified by officers that the planning application had been made on the grounds of an essential worker, not on succession grounds.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee delegated authority to grant full planning permission, subject to appropriate conditions including deliverable biodiversity net gain measures.

“Following debate, and on the grounds that the Committee did consider the application to comply with Policy 17 Rural Homes of NPF4 and Policy P1 Special Rural Areas of ALDP, as it had been demonstrated that no alternative accommodation was available, in considering the reasonableness of allowing those with a current lease to remain; and that the additional housing was required for the sustainability of the farming enterprise, the Committee agreed that authority to grant Full…”

Minutes