Holiday let at Squirrel Barn, Milwich, Stafford

The site

The site is one of two homes in a converted former agricultural building associated with Milwich Hall, a Grade II listed building.

“25/41424/FUL - 2 1.0 Context The Application Site 1.1 Squirrel Barn is one of two residential dwellings within a converted, curtilage listed, former agricultural building associated with the Grade II listed Milwich Hall to the south of the site.”

Officer report

What officers advised

Officers recommended approval, finding the proposal acceptable in principle and compliant with relevant policies subject to conditions.

“25/41424/FUL - 12 8.0 Other Matters 8.1 The Parish Council, Conservation Officer, and neighbouring occupiers raise that other potentially unauthorised alterations have taken place on site. The current application relates only to the change of use of Squirrel Barn and it should be noted that any permission would not grant or imply consent for any other unauthorised alterations.”

“It is recommended that planning permission be granted, subject to conditions. Consultations (Comments summarised) Neighbours (8 representations received from 6 different addresses): - Concerns surrounding noise, disturbance and anti-social behaviour based on past experiences when the property was in use as a holiday-let - Concerns surrounding lighting erected on site - Concerns surrounding parking and impact upon highway safety - Access rights surrounding the driveway…”

Officer report

Noise and neighbouring homes

Officers acknowledged possible noise and disturbance but considered a six-person limit and other conditions sufficient to avoid undue harm.

“25/41424/FUL - 6 as a ‘home-from-home’ where guests would occupy the site as a dwellinghouse, albeit on a temporary basis. Given the nature of the accommodation offered which is aimed at families, and in particular children, it is considered likely that the site would attract family groups, comprising a mix of adult and child guests from the same household(s), which would generate fewer vehicle movements.”

“For example, many dwellinghouses, whether used as short-term holiday lets or not, may be occupied by people who create significant levels of noise. Furthermore, it should also be acknowledged that an occupier of any dwellinghouse has the potential to behave in an anti-social manner, whether as a temporary or permanent occupier. Preventing all instances of excessive noise emanating from a dwelling is therefore not possible.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A speaker objected to the proposal, and the ward member addressed the committee.

The final decision

The application was refused because the holiday let was considered likely to cause undue noise and disturbance affecting neighbouring properties.

“25/41424/FUL - Squirrel Barn, Sandon Lane, Milwich, Stafford (Recommend approve, subject to conditions). Considered the report of the Head of Economic Development and Planning regarding this matter. Public speaking on the proposal was as follows:- J Edwards spoke in objection to the proposal. At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor F Beatty, Milwich Ward Member, addressed the Committee.”

“RESOLVED:- that planning application No 25/41424/FUL be refused due to the adverse effect on neighbouring properties caused by noise from the site. PC7 Application No…”

Minutes