Rural gym and barn extension at Grandturzel Cottage, Barn Gym, Burwash

What was proposed

The application sought retrospective permission for a gym, outdoor training area and agricultural barn extension, with cladding, glazing and biodiversity measures.

“This application seeks permission for the following works: • Change of use of the ground floor of the barn and 70sqm of the external area for use as an indoor and outdoor gym(retrospective).”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is part of a working farm containing a gym, agricultural buildings, nearby listed farmhouse, private access, public bridleway and footpath within the High Weald National Landscape.

“Grandturzel Farmhouse, a Grade II Listed Building, sits to the northwest of the site within the wider farmholding, which is an active farm with several more buildings and barns to the north and northwest of the application site. The listed farmhouse is approximately 120m from the gym. The dwelling immediately to the west is Grandturzel Cottage and not listed.”

“A public bridleway (BUR/27/3) runs from Fontridge Lane up to Grandturzel Farm and then runs to the west of the site and runs up to the A265. A public footpath (BUR/25/1) that connects to the village runs off the public bridleway.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the rural gym and extension supported diversification and community services, while conditions addressed limited landscape, lighting, highway and bridleway impacts.

“The proposal would see the conversion of a pre-existing agricultural building into a gym, a use that falls within Use Class E. The conversion of an agricultural building within this locality is considered to be compliant with local and national polices in terms of promoting the rural economy and provision of facilities and services to serve the local community. The services on offer would be improved with the provision of the extension to the storage building.”

“The siting of the outdoor training rig while being a somewhat alien feature, is compact and easily removed. It is well located close to the existing buildings and screened from many angles by existing vegetation, buildings and landscaping. The extension with proposed cladding and subject to suitable conditions would also blend with the existing building complex and not be discernible within the surrounding landscape.”

Officer report

Residents’ views

Objectors raised traffic, noise, pollution, unsociable hours, safety, unsustainable travel and landscape concerns, while supporters valued the gym, rural business and community benefits.

“A petition of objection, 16 letters of objection and a document provided by a planning agent have been received (from 15 representatives). The concerns raised are summarised as follows: • Increase in local traffic on a normally quiet lane by customers of the gym, • Increase in noise and air pollution levels. • There should be a restriction on commercial businesses in an agricultural community.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard from a representative of the parish council, the applicant and both local ward members.

What members debated

Members discussed vehicle movements, junction visibility, pedestrian safety and light pollution, and considered that conditions would mitigate these concerns.

“After discussion, where increased vehicle movements, visibility at the junction with Fontridge Lane, pedestrian safety concerns, as well as light pollution concerns were raised, the Planning Committee agreed that the conditions would mitigate against these issues. They were supportive of businesses and the creation of jobs within the countryside and felt that minimal harm would be caused.”

Minutes

The committee vote

A motion to grant full planning permission subject to conditions was proposed, seconded and carried with eight votes in favour and one abstention.

“Councillor Stanger moved the motion to GRANT (Full Planning Permission) subject to conditions and this was seconded by Councillor Chowdhury.”

“The motion was declared CARRIED (8 for / 1 abstention).”

Minutes