Light industrial conversion at Grymsdyke Farm, Main Road, Lacey Green

What was proposed

The application proposed changing existing buildings from car valeting to light industrial use and carrying out external alterations.

“Summary & Recommendation/ Reason for Planning Committee Consideration 1.1 The application seeks permission for a change of use of the existing buildings from car valeting to light industrial use (Class E (g) (iii)), together with external alterations to the building. . The application is to be reported for determination by the area planning committee having been the subject to call in requests from Cllr Carington and Cllr Adoh for the reasons give below.”

“Description of Proposed Development 2.1 The application sites relates to a group of former agricultural barns. These buildings have been the subject of various permissions for change of use, as set out in the planning history. The most recent was for the use of the buildings for car valeting, and that is the previous lawful use of the building.”

Officer report

Earlier uses and applications

Earlier permissions included office and valeting uses, while a later proposal for five homes was refused and dismissed on appeal.

“Disposed of 22.10.2025. 3.7 24/05331/PIP - Application for permission in principle for demolition of existing buildings and erection of 5 No. dwellings with associated parking and landscaping. Refused 26.3.2024 and dismissed at appeal 6.2.2025 on the grounds of the loss of a scattered business site.”

“The buildings were originally farm buildings but have had a series of permissions granted for change of use to B1 business use between 2002 and 2004, which were not implemented, followed by permission to a change of use to a valeting use in 2008, which was implemented.”

Officer report

What consultees said

The Highway Authority and Environmental Health raised no objection, while the parish council objected over HGV access, safety, noise and nearby childcare.

“Amended plans / Technical note The Highway Authority provided an initial consultation response for this. Specifically, it stated several reasons as to why the proposals were not detrimental to highway safety, convenience of use or network capacity (the current/lawful use of the site, the use of the site access by comparable vehicles to those expected under the proposed use and historical Highway Authority comments upon previous planning applications that used the Grymsdyke…”

Officer report

What residents said

Seven parties objected, citing unsuitable access, traffic safety, noise, monitoring, rural character, privacy, drainage, ecology and works already underway.

“Other Representations Comments have been received from 7 parties objecting to the proposal: • Development has already commenced • Access unsuitable for HGVs • A use requiring access for large HGVs is unsuitable for this site. • Not safe to have vehicles using the access during main drop off and pick up times for the adjacent nursery (7.30-9 and 4-6) • Concern over noise from light industrial use in relation to the adjacent nursery.”

“Claims of existing commercial function are incorrect. • Concern over highway safety and risks from increased commercial vehicles. • Details of drainage should be provided. • Updated ecology information should be provided. • Potential loss of privacy to Grymsdyke Farm Lodge. • Conflict with the NPPF and Local Plan policies…”

Officer report

Who spoke to the committee

Written statements were read for ward members, the parish council and the local MP; an objector and the agent also spoke.

The committee decision

After a site visit and an update sheet, members resolved to grant permission with the stated conditions and informatives.

“An update sheet was tabled (published to the Council’s website separately) which detailed: • Information added to the officer’s report that regard has been had to the requirements of Section 85 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to seek to further the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the Chilterns National Landscape. • Amendments to the wording of conditions 6, 7, 8 and 11 (as per the update sheet).”

“Resolved: That the application be granted permission subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the officer report, including the amended/additional conditions as set out in the update sheet.”

Minutes