Agricultural workers dwelling at Land at Gibbet Fen Fen Road (A52), Donington, Spalding

“3.5The site lies within Flood Zone 3, as defined by Environment Agency mapping, although the South East Lincolnshire SFRA identifies the area as being within a low flood hazard zone. 4.0RELEVANT PLANNING POLICIES 4.1The Development Plan 4.2South East Lincolnshire Local Plan, March 2019 01 Spatial Strategy 02 Development Management 03 Design of New Development 04 Approach to Flood Risk 28 The Natural Environment 29 The Historic Environment 30 Pollution 36 Vehicle and Cycle…”

“8.1It is recommended that planning permission be refused. 8.2Whilst the proposal would support an established agricultural enterprise and a functional need for a worker has been identified, the evidence submitted has not demonstrated that there is an essential need for a worker to reside permanently at or near the site.”

“Whilst the Local Planning Authority acknowledges that the submitted Agricultural Dwelling Appraisal (Acorus Rural Property Services Ltd) demonstrates a functional need for a worker to be readily available to the poultry enterprise, it has not been demonstrated that this need is essential such that it necessitates permanent on-site residence.”

“(Sections 8.2 and 8.4). 7.22On this basis, the Local Planning Authority accepts that the proposal gives rise to a clear functional need for a worker to be readily available to the site at short notice, including outside normal working hours. 7.23However, the policy test requires that this need is not only functional, but essential, such that it can only be met through permanent on-site residence. In this regard, the appraisal falls short in a number of key areas.”

“7.29Taking all of the above into account, the Local Planning Authority concludes that the Acorus appraisal successfully demonstrates a functional need for a worker to be readily available, but does not provide sufficiently robust or compelling evidence to demonstrate that this need is essential in the context required by national policy, nor that it necessitates permanent on-site residence as opposed to alternative arrangements within the locality or a temporary dwelling.”

“Members debated the matter fully, with the following comments being raised: • It was queried whether the construction of the access road granted permission previously had begun. o Officers confirmed that construction had started. • Concern that the refusal of this dwelling could discriminate against those who were unable to drive. o Officers commented that there would be no access to amenities if someone lived on site but could not drive.”

“Questioned whether the dwelling could be conditioned to be linked to the specific farm being in operation. o Officers responded that it would be unusual to link an agricultural works dwelling to a specific farm business. • The nature of the proposed business was a multimillion pound investment in the area and a property was needed on site to attract a manager of the right calibre for the operation.”

“That the application be refused in line with the reasons outlined at section 9.0 of the report.”

“(Moved by Councillor Brewis, Seconded by Councillor Redgate)”