Single dwellinghouse at The Barn, Main Street, Staveley, Kendal

“I am reporting this application to Committee because my recommendation to approve with a sole or principal occupancy condition is contrary to the views of Staveley with Ings Parish Council who favour a condition specifying a locality.”

“This application seeks to use the whole building as a single dwellinghouse. The applicant is seeking an occupancy condition that would allow use as a ‘sole or principal’ dwelling.”

“The Barn on Main Street in Staveley comprised a workshop with office on the ground floor and flat on the first floor. In recent years the workshop use has ceased and the living accommodation extended to include the whole building.”

“In 2022 we considered an application to convert the workshop into bedrooms as an extension to the dwelling, all to be used for holiday letting. The application was refused on the grounds that the dwelling was considered suitable for local occupancy.”

“The proposal results in the loss of employment space. Policy 16 seeks to retain existing employment uses with a floorspace above 100 square meters. The workshop and office on the ground floor of the building to be converted under this application is approximately 61 square metres, so its loss is not protected under Local Plan policy.”

“I do not consider that the increase in size of the existing dwelling to include the ground floor would result in a dwelling which is of such a size to result in a detrimental impact on residential amenity, particularly given that the current authorised use of the ground floor is as a workshop.”

“Staveley with Ings Parish Council – Object – while the Council supports the change of use to a dwelling house they strongly object to the absence of a local occupancy condition on the new dwelling. The Council believes an unfettered dwelling will reduce availability and affordability for people with a local connection and need.”

“Lead Local Flood Authority response: The application is located within flood zone 2 or 3 adjacent to a 'main' river. As such the Local Planning Authority are advised to consult with the Environment Agency to determine the suitability of the proposal.”

“Motion to approve the application with conditions Proposed by [name withheld] by [name withheld] were unanimously in favour of the motion…”