Overnight accommodation centre at Jaguar Buildings, Jaguar Drive, Badersfield

“Applicant’s Name: BM Trust Ltd Site Address Jaguar Buildings, Jaguar Drive, Badersfield, NR10 5RZ Proposal Change of use of site and existing buildings to short-term overnight accommodation and short-term residential activity centre including educational visits, function room hire and pre- school / community use as well as associated uses and alterations…”

“The application seeks full planning permission for the change of use of the site and existing buildings to short-term overnight accommodation and short-term residential activity centre use. This will include educational visits, function room hire and pre- school / community use as well as associated uses and alterations.”

“The buildings on site formed part of the former RAF Coltishall complex and aside from Block A, which is a more modern addition to the west of the site, they were built 1939-40 and are Grade II listed.”

“The site, which measures approximately 4.5 hectares, is located to the south of Badersfield and lies outside of any defined development boundary but within the RAF Coltishall Conservation Area.”

“The buildings are currently vacant and have been for some time, except for a short period where they were used to accommodate asylum seekers and local homeless persons in 2020 and agricultural workers in 2021.”

“An application to temporarily change the use to accommodation for refugees who are eligible to relocate and resettle in the UK as part of the Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP) was withdrawn in March 2026.”

“The site is located within the catchment area of one or more of these sites as identified by Natural England and as such the impact of the development must be assessed. It is therefore subject to the requirement to demonstrate nutrient neutrality following Natural England’s letter to local planning authorities on 16 March 2022 concerning nutrient pollution in those Habitats Sites.”

“Furthermore, Policy GC3 of the DM DPD sets out in its explanatory text ‘the adaptation to new uses of buildings in the countryside can be undertaken to bring them back into productive use and so be of value in diversifying the rural economy’. It is important to note that the principal buildings on site are designated heritage assets that have been vacant over an extensive period of time.”

“Problems with previous long and short-term visitors • Residents previously not supervised sufficiently • Quite a few complaints, reportedly including excess noise, amplified music, chanting, singing and football matches at late hours, claims of trespass, littering, fires being started and large groups walking in middle of road at night wearing dark clothing • Reported police presence due to number of incidents • Isolated nature of the site means boredom of occupants is a…”

“Harmful impact on residential amenity • Noise and disturbance • Owners have demonstrated they cannot control noise levels • No thought for the local community • Sits alongside community of housing so not a suitable location for this type of venue • Any noise beyond 23:00 is not acceptable • Many residents are shift workers either in the prison service or emergency services and have chosen to live in a quiet village to benefit from being able to sleep regardless of the time…”

“Members voted 9-1 in favour of authorising the Assistant Director (Planning) to approve, subject to matters relating to nutrient neutrality, GIRAMS and fencing being satisfactorily resolved, with the following conditions:”

“Scheme for cycle parking 9. External lighting 10. Unknown contamination 11. No generators, compressor, chilling unit or cooling fan without details being submitted and approved 12. No loudspeakers, amplifier, relay or other audio equipment outside of the building 13. Noise assessment (PC) 14. Limited hours of use of external lighting 15. Limited hours for amplified music 16. Noise management plan 17. Limited hours for deliveries 18.”