Glasshouse nursery extension at Woodland Nurseries, Stamford Hill, Lowca

What was proposed

The application sought a 1.82-hectare glasshouse extension for plant production, with drainage, landscaping and ten percent biodiversity net gain.

“It is proposed to both part excavate and part fill the land within the Application Site to create a level area consistent in level to the existing glasshouse on which to site the proposed extension.”

“A scheme of on-site landscaping and habitat enhancement is proposed to deliver a Biodiversity Net Gain of ten percent.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is agricultural land north-west of an existing wholesale nursery, beside homes, rights of way, a cycleway, a bridleway and glasshouses.

“The Application Site comprises an area of agricultural land located to the north/west of the existing commercial nursery premises. The wider area of agricultural land slopes from north to south and is both enclosed and in part sub-divided by a range of existing fences and hedgerows.”

“The Application Site is bounded by the following: an existing Public Right of Way (PRoW), National Cycleway 72 and existing glasshouses to the south; agricultural land, a Public Right of Way (PRoW) and dwellings comprising part of the village of Lowca to the north; agricultural land and dwellings comprising part of the village of Lowca west; and, an existing glasshouse with associated infrastructure to the east.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because economic benefits and rural business growth marginally outweighed landscape, visual and residential amenity harms, subject to conditions.

“In overall terms, the merits of the proposed development are finely balanced. There are clear economic benefits resulting from this development; however, these must weighed against the landscape and visual impacts of the development and the impacts upon the amenity of the nearby residential dwellings.”

“On balance, giving the required significant weight to the economic factors as required by the NPPF, the benefits marginally outweigh the harms in favour of support for the development subject to the planning conditions proposed.”

Officer report

What residents said

Objections focused on heavy traffic, road safety, light, noise, pollution, health, wildlife, flooding, landscape harm and the cumulative effect on the village; supporters cited jobs and economic benefits.

“Traffic and Highway Safety • Significant concern regarding increased HGV traffic through Lowca village. • Highways are described as narrow, degraded, and unsuitable for large vehicles. • Articulated lorries cause safety risks to children, pedestrians, cyclists, and dog walkers. • Conflict with safe use of cycleway and bridleway. Inadequate separation and signage.”

“Noise and vibration disturbance from HGVs operating during early morning and late-night hours. • Light pollution and glare from existing glasshouses impact sleep. The proposed extension will exacerbate this issue. • Light screens should be installed to prevent harm. • Diesel emissions and dust from HGVs and construction vehicles cited as health hazards. • Chemical use (fertilizers, pesticides) hold potential for contamination of air and water.”

Officer report

Who spoke

One objector spoke against the application, three letters from objectors were read out, and the agent spoke in support while the applicant attended.

Members’ discussion

Members asked about vehicle numbers, weights and departure times, heard that the fleet change would not add vehicles, and discussed communication and road safety.

“Members asked for clarification with regard to the number and weight of the vehicles used and the frequency and times vehicles exited the premises.”

“With the agreement of the Chair, the Applicant confirmed he owned five articulated vehicles, and two further vehicles would be changed to articulated vehicles, they allowed more product to be moved without increasing the number of vehicles. The application would not result in additional vehicles, the vehicles were legally allowed 44 ton, however, the vehicles were restricted to 33 ton.”

Minutes

The vote

A motion to accept the officer recommendation was proposed and seconded, then agreed unanimously.

“A Member moved to accept the Officer’s recommendation, the recommendation was seconded.”

“A vote was taken and was unanimous that the Officer’s recommendation be agreed.”

Minutes

The decision

Full planning permission was granted with delegated authority for the Head of Planning and Place to add or amend conditions.

“RESOLVED - That the Planning Committee granted Full Planning Permission subject to the planning conditions below and delegated authority to the Head of Planning and Place to add to and/or make any amendments to the conditions as considered appropriate:”

Minutes