Dog walking field and parking at Land To The North Of Thursford Cemetery Gunthorpe Road, Thursford

What was proposed

The application sought to convert agricultural land into a dog walking field with parking, a shed, access improvements and cemetery parking.

“Seeks the change of use from agricultural land to a dog walking field with associated secure car parking, shed for use by dog walkers, associated vehicular access improvements to serve dog walking field and a car park for Thursford Cemetery.”

Officer report

The site

The site is undeveloped agricultural land in Thursford, fronting Gunthorpe Road and enclosed by mature trees and hedging.

“Site and Application The application site is located within the village of Thursford fronting Gunthorpe Road. The site is host to undeveloped agricultural land enclosed by mature trees and hedging. Planning permission is sought for the change of use to a dog walking field with associated secure car parking, shed for use by dog walkers, associated vehicular access improvements to serve dog walking field and a car park for Thursford Cemetery.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended refusal because the narrow, fragile road lacked passing opportunities and had limited visibility, creating a highway safety risk.

“However, the dog walking aspect of the application is expected to increase traffic, with vehicles arriving on an hourly basis, and the road network is deemed unsuitable for this increase. The road is unlit and situated away from populated areas, making it reliant on car access. In some sections, grass has begun to grow in the centre, indicating its fragile construction.”

“The unclassified road that provides access to the site is deemed insufficient for the proposed development due to its narrow width, absence of passing opportunities, subpar construction quality, and limited visibility at nearby road junctions. If the proposal is approved, it is expected to create conditions that could negatively impact highway safety.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The parish council supported the application, highways objected, landscape and economic development had no objection, and environmental health suggested operating limits.

“Norfolk County Council Highways - Object - Appreciate that Gunthorpe Road is very lightly trafficked presently and the cemetery would benefit from the use of a car parking facility for visitors what would otherwise park on the verge. However, conscious that the dog walking element of the application will generate new traffic with vehicles visiting on an hourly basis and therefore do not consider the network suitable for that purpose.”

“Economic Development (NNDC) - No objection.”

Officer report

Public representations

No written representations were received.

“REPRESENTATIONS No representations received.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A parish council representative and a supporter spoke, followed by the local member in support of the application.

The committee’s decision

The committee approved the application subject to conditions, with final wording delegated to the Head of Planning.

“That Planning application PF/25/2102 be APPROVED subject to conditions, final wording the be delegated to the Head of Planning.”

Minutes

Conditions attached

Conditions covered time limits, approved plans, materials, parking, landscaping, individual use, opening times, lighting, waste bins and biodiversity net gain.

“Time limit (3 years) • Accordance with approved plans • Materials as submitted • Parking to be provided prior to first use • Landscaping to be provided in accordance with approved plans • Use limited to individuals only no groups • Restricted to opening times as submitted • Prior agreement of any external lighting • Adequate bin provision to be provided • Submission of a BNG plan…”

“In addition, the permission cannot be released until the applicant has provided, and had agreed, a baseline BNG metric.”

Minutes