Wedding and events venue at Great Napchester Farm, Whitfield

“The proposal is the resubmission of a previous withdrawn application 23/01296. The proposal is for the change of use of the land and the smaller barn for wedding receptions, functions and events. The dwelling, which has not been used for residential purposes for a number of years, would be used for ancillary overnight accommodation. No external changes are proposed to the barn or dwelling.”

“Use of the barn for wedding receptions, functions and events. The barn measures 296 square meters and internally has already been fitted out with a bar and toilets. • The Grade II listed dwelling has not been used for permanent residential accommodation for a number of years and would be used as ancillary accommodation for the wedding party using this site, or any site within the wider area.”

“The site lies on the western side of Napchester Road, being reached via an unmade track and falling outside of settlement confines. The application relates to a large agricultural barn style building on the south side of the access route. Elsewhere at the site are the grade II listed farmhouse to the north, outbuildings to the west and a detached agricultural building.”

“Great Napchester Farm is a former agricultural complex located on the western side of Napchester Road and is approximately one mile from the built-up area of Whitfield. The location of the site is characterised by open agricultural land and woodlands.”

“As such, there are no ecological constraints on the proposal with the development outside of the 15m to the Ancient Woodland, as required by Local Plan Policy SP13. KCC Ecology advise service has been consulted and has no objection to this element of the proposal, although they have provided further comments with regard to Biodiversity Net Gain, as set out below.”

“The proposal would provide some wider economic benefits associated with the wedding/events venue. This gains support from paragraph 88 of the NPPF which seeks to enable the sustainable growth and expansion of all types of business in rural areas and sustainable rural tourism and leisure developments which respect the character of the countryside.”

“Impact of additional vehicles on local highway network and safety concerns on vulnerable road users • Noise pollution from live music • Wildlife impact • Previous refusal to 2020 application and impact on the highway network…”

“Increased noise and disturbance in the countryside. • Impact on dark skies • Loss of amenity from noise and light • Impact on heritage assets • Current dwelling is used as an air bnb • Would not provide any economic benefit to the local area • No requirement for additional funds from this proposal to fund works to the Grade II listed building • Area is already well served by wedding venues • Disturbance from fireworks • Impact on sewerage • No details of commercial waste…”

“Councillor J L Pout referred to paragraphs 88 and 89 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which covered sustainable transport and the lack of it in rural areas. Condition 8 seemed pointless and unfair to him because its enforcement relied on another department of the Council to carry out its statutory function, and on residents to complain to the Council and then to go through the rigmarole of keeping noise diaries.”

“The Principal Solicitor – Planning reminded the Committee that there was guidance on site visits in the Planning Code in the constitution. All requests for a site visit should be assessed on their likely usefulness, and the criteria for holding a site visit were set out in the Code. Members should ask themselves whether they could only safely determine the application after inspecting the site in person.”

“RESOLVED: (a) That, subject to the resolution of Biodiversity Net Gain, Application No DOV/24/00513 be APPROVED subject to the following conditions:”

“(ix) Event Noise Management Plan, including details of noise limiting devices and no fireworks to be allowed;”