Spa and hotel accommodation at Thyme - Southrop Estate Office Southrop Estate, Southrop

The site and its setting

The site lies within Southrop Conservation Area and the Cotswolds National Landscape, near listed buildings, public footpaths, existing hotel buildings and an outdoor pool.

“The wider site comprises Thyme, a collection of converted and extended agricultural buildings which form a hotel, spa and restaurant. The site is located within the village of Southrop, with access to Thyme via a road which also serves Southrop Manor and St Peters Church. It has a second main entrance with parking area to the south east of the village.”

“A Public Right of Way (Southrop Footpath 7) bisects Thyme through its courtyard, separating the main historic barns from the application site. This continues to the south of the site through open fields. Additionally, Southrop Footpaths 8 and 9 run through the field to the south of the application site. The site is located within the Southrop Conservation Area and Cotswolds National Landscape.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Earlier permissions allowed the wider site’s agricultural buildings and land to become hotel, restaurant, wellbeing and related uses, including Southrop Lodge accommodation.

“15/04754/FUL - Change of use of the Granary, Ox Barn, Lambing Sheds and Pigsties, Haybarn and associated land from part agricultural, equestrian, D1, D2, and B1 use classes to a composite use comprising A3 (food and drink), C1 (hotel), D1 (treatment and wellbeing/lectures/courses) and D2 (social events) use classes. Replacement of former barns to provide guest bedrooms.”

“17/01013/FUL - Restoration, repair and reuse of existing buildings, including works to the Granary, Ox Barn, Lambing Sheds and Pigsties, the conversion of the Hay Barn to form ancillary kitchen and staff areas, the rebuilding of former barns as guest bedrooms, the change of use of an equestrian riding arena and other land, part to include overflow car parking, the planting of an orchard, landscaping and all other associated works; including the change of use from part…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The parish council, an objector, a supporter, the applicant and the ward member addressed the committee about heritage, amenity, employment, traffic and the village’s future.

The vote

A motion to permit the application was proposed, seconded and agreed by the committee.

“Councillor Ian Watson proposed and Councillor Michael Vann seconded the proposal to permit the application. The proposal was put to the vote and agreed by the Committee. RESOLVED: To PERMIT the application.”

Minutes

The decision

The application was permitted because the proposal was considered policy-compliant, with public benefits outweighing the very limited identified conservation-area harm.

“Overall, subject to details, the proposals are considered to reflect the quasi- agricultural nature of the site, and setting of nearby listed buildings, and the rural context of the village and Conservation Area. The proposals are considered to preserve the setting of the listed buildings, and the significance of Stable Cottage.”

“The Conservation Officer has identified that there may be some harm to the significance of the Conservation Area, but has advised that this would be, "at most, be of a very limited nature, and at the extreme bottom of the less-than- substantial spectrum." Paragraph 215 states that where proposals will cause harm to the significance of a designated heritage asset that is less than substantial harm, that harm is weighed against the public benefits of those works.”

Officer report