Two holiday cabins at West Hollowcombe, Withypool, Dulverton

Earlier applications

The application resubmitted a proposal previously refused for visual impact, harm to area character and the siting of one unit.

“This application is a resubmission of a previous application, which was refused on the grounds of visual impact, harm to the character of the area and the siting of one of the units proposed.”

“There are some clear differences between this current submission and the previous application, which primarily relate to the siting of the units and the reliance upon the renovated barn to provide services for the two glamping pods.”

Officer report

Officers advised refusal

Officers concluded that the cabins were not high-quality designs suited to the local vernacular and that visual harm outweighed the proposal’s benefits.

“The proposed units are not of a high quality design or constructed using high quality building techniques that complement the existing form and character of the surrounding site and wider landscape and therefore fails to align with the established local vernacular, as a result, it is not in accordance with the requirements of Policies GP1, CE-S1, CE-D1, RT-D9, CE-S5, and CE-S6 of the Exmoor National Park Adopted Local Plan (2011-2031).”

“In this instance, having considered the public benefit of the scheme, it is considered that the harm that would arise through visual impact to the site and surrounding area would outweigh any perceived benefits of the proposal.”

Officer report

What people raised

The objections concerned visual impact, local infrastructure capacity, noise and nuisance disturbance.

“ENPA have received three letters in relation to this proposal, all of which are in objection.”

“The objections relate to the visual impact of the proposal, the capacity of the local infrastructure to accommodate more units, the potential impact of noise and nuisance disturbance.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent and the applicant spoke to the committee.

The application was deferred

The committee deferred determination to allow an amended design and potential landscaping, with a delegated decision if officers and the applicant agree.

“6/42/25/002 Location: West Hollocombe, Broad Lane, Withypool, Dulverton, Somerset, TA22 9QL. Proposed siting of 2no. temporary timber cabins for use as holiday accommodation, together with, associated landscaping and installation of a shower within the existing stable building.”

“RESOLVED: To Defer determination of the application to allow an amended design and potential landscaping, and to delegate the decision to Officers if they are able to reach agreement, but to bring the application back to Committee if they cannot reach agreement.”

Minutes