Education and farm building at Taras Yard, The Reeds Road, Frensham

What was proposed

The application sought education and agricultural use, a single-storey building with solar panels, parking, access works, landscaping and relocation of a field shelter.

“WA/2025/01716 – Change of use of land from agricultural to mixed use agriculture and education and erection of a building for educational use with solar panels; erection of bin and cycle store; creation of car park and track with associated landscaping; relocation of existing field shelter at LAND WEST OF TARAS YARD THE REEDS ROAD FRENSHAM FARNHAM”

“Permission is sought for the change of use of this site from agricultural to a mixed use of agriculture and education, together with the erection of a single storey building featuring a part flat, part pitched roof with solar panels. Also proposed is the installation of a recycled plastic reinforced grasscrete track and parking area within the site, together with a permeable tarmac surface to the site access and the erection of a bin store and cycle racks.”

Officer report

The site

The site is a 0.68-hectare open agricultural field beside The Reeds Road, with an unmade track, field shelter, fencing and varied levels.

“The application site is an agricultural field occupied by a field shelter and accessed by an unmade track. It is located on the northwestern side of The Reeds Road, west of its junction with Old Frensham Road.”

“The application site is located on the northwestern side of The Reeds Road, west of its junction with Old Frensham Road. It consists of an approximately 0.68ha open agricultural field with a track running along part of its southwestern boundary. The site access is an unmade track that splays onto the public highway and features a wooden gate set back from the highway. There is a field shelter and post and rail…”

Officer report

What people said

Thirty-one letters supported the charity, seventeen sought safeguards, and seven objected over the site, Green Belt, character, privacy, noise, wildlife, traffic and drainage.

“Seventeen (17) letters have been received with the following comments: • Supportive of comments submitted by Glen Plant on behalf of East Millbridge Sustainable Development Association (EMSDA) regarding conditions that should be applied if permission is granted. • The site is within the Surrey Hills National Landscape and Green Belt. • The site has been subjected to numerous proposals for development, all of which were inappropriate.”

“Seven (7) letters have been received raising objection on the following grounds: • Opposition to location, a green field site will be lost forever • Inappropriate development in the Green Belt • Out of character for the area • There is already significant development on The Reeds Road • Loss of privacy • Noise disturbance • Harm to wildlife and loss of habitats • Negative impact on roads due to increase in traffic • Drainage concerns • It may be better for the applicant to…”

Officer report

Who spoke

Two objectors and two supporters made representations under the public speaking scheme.

The committee’s decision

The committee unanimously voted for the officers’ recommendation and granted planning permission subject to 15 conditions and six informatives.

“Following the debate, the Committee voted in favour of the officers’ recommendation to grant permission unanimously.”

“Planning permission be GRANTED, subject to conditions 1-15 and informatives 1-6.”

Minutes