Polytunnels at Land At Rectory Farm, Rectory Lane, Chart Sutton

Who spoke

A councillor, an objector, representatives of two parish councils and the applicant addressed the committee.

Why the committee refused it

Against officers' recommendation, members found the extent of polytunnels would be an alien, industrialising feature causing significant visual harm to the Greensand Ridge and countryside.

“Contrary to the recommendation of the Head of Planning and Economic Development, the Committee agreed to refuse the permission.”

“In making this decision, Members considered there to be significant visual harm to the Greensand Ridge, by introducing such a significant extent of poly tunnels which results in an alien and industrialising feature to the application site resulting in significant visual harm to the area and wider countryside.”

Minutes

The reasons for refusal

The cumulative polytunnels would dominate the countryside and neighbouring listed buildings, with no landscape visual impact assessment and no mitigation shown, contrary to local policies.

“The cumulative impacts of the proposed and existing poly tunnels result in a domination of industrialising features upon the countryside and neighbouring grade two listed buildings. There was a failure to demonstrate the impacts of the proposal through the submission of an LVIA. It is not assessed that the proposed landscape planting would mitigate the significant harm caused. The proposal fails to comply with policies SP9, QD4, SP14B and NV1 and QD4.”

“RESOLVED: That permission be refused for the reason outlined above and that delegated powers be given to the Head of Planning and Economic Development to add the relevant local and national policies.”

Minutes