Two barn verandas at Raja Tuan, Nettleden Road, Hemel Hempstead

What was proposed

The application sought two verandas on the existing barn, one on its south-western elevation and one on its south-eastern elevation.

“Permission is sought for the addition of two verandas to the side of the existing barn. This existing barn is located north west of the dwelling known as Raja Tuan and is sited on the south eastern side of Nettleden Road. One veranda will be sited on the south western elevation of the barn, another will be sited on the south eastern elevation of the barn.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The detached barn is near the dwelling and Nettleden Road, within the Metropolitan Green Belt and Chilterns National Landscape.

“The application site comprises of a detached outbuilding to the front of the dwelling known as Raja Tuan, this building is also sited close to Nettleden Road and adjacent to the access of the site. The site falls within the Metropolitan Green Belt and within the Chilterns National Landscape.”

Officer report

Earlier applications and barn use

The barn has planning history, and a certificate allowed up to eleven private music gatherings each year as ancillary to the dwelling.

“Given the uncertainty surrounding the use of the barn the Local Planning Authority (LPA) suggested the applicant apply for a Lawful Development Certificate in order to ascertain the exact use of the barn and whether these music social gatherings are ancillary to the dwelling known as Raja Tuan. A Lawful Development Certificate (Existing) (LDE) was submitted with the following reference number: 25/02405/LDE.”

“This confirmed that eleven gatherings in the barn per year is considered to be ancillary to the main dwelling. This was the maximum number of gatherings which were said to take place in a year, and was detailed in the statutory declaration.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the verandas proportionate, visually subordinate and unlikely to cause significant harm to the landscape, neighbours, noise conditions, parking or highway safety.

“Therefore, these verandas would appear to be the first additions to the building. The verandas are lightweight but permanent structures which will provide shelter from the elements for those who sit or stand beneath its roof. With regards to the spatial impact on the Green Belt, the verandas do not increase the footprint of the building as they are a roofed platform which is not enclosed.”

“Given the above, the proposed verandas are not considered to be visually dominant or to result in a significant visual impact on the Green Belt. As mentioned, the spatial impact on the Green Belt is also limited such that the proposal can reasonably be considered a proportionate addition to the existing building and therefore by definition is not inappropriate development in the Green Belt.”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

The case officer introduced the application, and Councillor John Berry spoke against it; Councillor Douris declared a local county council role.

The decision and conditions

Planning permission was granted with conditions covering the commencement period, materials and approved plans, plus noise and waste informatives.

“Resolved: That planning permission be GRANTED. RECOMMENDATION That planning permission be granted.”

“Informatives: Planning permission has been granted for this proposal. The Council acted pro- actively through positive engagement with the applicant during the determination process which led to improvements to the scheme. The Council has therefore acted pro-actively in line with the requirements of the Framework (paragraph 38) and in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015.”

Minutes