Reception and storeroom at Sycamore House, Kirkbride, Wigton

What was proposed

Retrospective permission was sought for a 52-square-metre reception area serving the existing engineering business.

“The application seeks full retrospective planning permission for the erection of a reception area to serve the existing business G W Rudd Engineering.”

“The business previously had an office with a small reception area to the front. The internal arrangements have now been reconfigured and this area converted to provide a document storage area, staff office and staff access link directly from the garage workshops. These works were all internal and would not have required planning permission. The works however incorporated the previously small reception area (17 square metres).”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The business is in open countryside beside agricultural fields, with homes nearby and the airfield to the northwest.

“The application site is located on a classified road that runs between the A596 at Wigton and Kirkbride. The site lies 370 metres from the settlement boundary of Kirkbride and therefore is classed as being in an open countryside location.”

“The site operates an established business for the site G W Rudd Engineering that undertakes car repairs and MOT’s from modern green clad agricultural style buildings.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the extension acceptable because it provides a designated customer reception, supports the rural business and has suitable scale, design and siting.

“The newly built reception area to the southeast of the existing buildings provides a clear and designated area for customers without having to walk through the site or into the workshop areas. The extension is within the curtilage of the existing business.”

“Officers consider that the proposed scale and appearance of the extension is appropriate for its rural location and will not have an adverse impact on the visual amenity or landscape character of the area. Officers, therefore, consider that the proposed development is acceptable under the provisions of the Allerdale Local Plan (Part 1) and (Part 2), and the National Planning Policy Framework.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The parish council and Environmental Health had no objections, while highway and drainage matters were for the local planning authority to consider.

“The highway and drainage implications of this application can therefore be decided by the Local Planning Authority.”

Officer report

Public representations

No public representations had been received, while the Ward Councillor supported determination by the committee for safety and rural business reasons.

“This application has been advertised by the display of site notice and neighbour letter. No representations have been received to date.”

“The Ward Councillor has requested that this application is determined by the Planning Committee for the following reasons:”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Ward Councillor and the agent spoke in support of the application.

Questions and debate

A member asked why permission had not been sought earlier; the agent described a genuine mistake, and the Senior Lawyer explained that retrospective applications are assessed on their merits.

“The Senior Lawyer advised Members that retrospective planning applications are part of the planning process and therefore the fact that it is retrospective is not a material consideration and that the application should be judged on its own merits.”

Minutes

The committee vote

A member moved to accept the officer recommendation, it was seconded, and the vote was unanimous.

“Following further consideration of the application a Member moved to accept the Officer’s recommendation, this was seconded.”

“A vote was taken and it was unanimously agreed.”

Minutes

The decision

The application was approved subject to the stated plans condition, with delegated authority for the Service Manager to amend conditions.

“RESOLVED – That the application be approved subject to the conditions set out below with delegated authority be given to the Service Manager for Development and Implementation to add and/or make any amendments to the conditions as considered appropriate.”

“Reason: In order to ensure that the development shall be carried out in complete accordance with the approved plans and any material and non-material alterations to the scheme are properly considered.”

Minutes