Marine craft workshop at Koolbergen And Ramsay, Birdham, Chichester

The site and surroundings

The site is outside Birdham’s settlement boundary, was formerly horticultural, and contains overgrown land, dilapidated glasshouses, trees and existing buildings.

“The application site is located on the west side of Bell Lane, Birdham, outside any defined settlement boundary, and comprises approximately 9,650 m². The site was previously in horticultural use, which ceased in 2005. Vehicular access is provided from Bell Lane at the north-east corner, where two trees are situated to the south of the entrance, and a drainage ditch runs along the road frontage.”

“At the time of the first site visit, in May 2025, hoarding approximately 2m in height was being erected along the front of the site behind the drainage ditch. Before the hoarding was erected, the front boundary had been open since 2020/21. The north boundary of the site is part fenced with the remainder open with some planting.”

Officer report

Earlier applications and site history

Earlier applications included permitted glasshouses, an agricultural bungalow appeal and refused housing, employment and retail proposals, followed by pre-application advice for commercial space.

“03/02965/PLD APPEAL ALLOWE D Agricultural bungalow.”

“14/02662/OUT REF Outline application for the erection of 81 houses, B1 floor space, retail and open space with the retention of 1 dwelling.”

Officer report

Why officers recommended refusal

Officers considered that manufacturing blinds did not need a countryside location, alternative sites were not sufficiently assessed, and the development would harm countryside character and tranquillity.

“The applicant wishes to relocate the business from their current site in Almodington. The application states this is due to the current site not being sufficiently sized to allow them to expand, and the fact the site access is not appropriate for the vehicles used by the business for the manufacturing purposes.”

“In summary, the development represents an inappropriate and unjustified form of development in the countryside. The industrial process of manufacturing blinds for the marine industry does not need to take place in the countryside and sufficient justification of the need for this particular site over any other location has not been provided.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard from a parish council representative, a supporter, the applicant and a council member.

The committee debate

Members considered the balance between economic benefits and planning harms, possible marine-use restrictions, job creation and the land needed for highway visibility.

“[name withheld] advised that Members should consider all aspects of the application and consider the different weight to be given to the issues involved, between the economic and the planning aspects of the application. If Members wished to grant permission as an exception to the policies of the development plan, the Committee must demonstrate that the economic benefits outweigh the policy harms.”

“[name withheld] referred to the condition regarding the highway visibility splay and noted that this must be a Grampian condition (pre-commencement) to ensure compliance. There is a strip of land on the site which is not owned by the Highway authority or the applicant. An adjoining neighbour has expressed concern with the visibility splay and stated that they have a 20-year use of this land, however ownership has not been proven.”

Minutes

The vote

Members voted in support of deferring the application for a Section 106 agreement and then permitting it, and the motion was carried.

“Having taken Officer advice, Cllr Burton proposed the Committee Defer for Section 106 then permit the application (subject to a schedule of conditions) on the basis that Members consider the economic benefits of the proposal to outweigh the identified harms. Additionally, the site is in a sustainable location, despite being located outside of the settlement boundary.”

“Following a vote by show of hands, the Committee voted in support of Cllr Burton’s proposal to defer for Section 106 then permit.”

Minutes

The committee decision

The committee resolved to defer the application for a Section 106 agreement and then permit it, subject to the reported conditions and informatives.

“Resolved: Defer for Section 106 then permit, subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report.”

Minutes