Temporary agricultural worker dwelling at Harling Farm, Bere Alston

What was proposed

The application sought a further three-year temporary consent to retain a mobile home as an agricultural worker’s dwelling.

“The Proposal: The current application seeks consent for the retention of the mobile home on site since being given consent under application 0685/20/FUL for 4 years in 2020. The current application proposes a further 3 year temporary consent.”

“Background In 2020 the applicant was given approval for the siting of a caravan / mobile home to be used as an agricultural worker’s dwelling; this permission was temporary for a period of four years to allow sufficient time to establish the associated agricultural business. The previous consent was granted in June 2020 meaning the four years would have lapsed in June 2024. Whilst the description of development for the current application indicates a renewal of a consent.”

Officer report

The site

The site is open countryside about 1.15 kilometres south of Bere Alston, within the Tamar Valley National Landscape and accessed by a shared driveway.

“Site Description: The application site is located within the open countryside, c. 1.15km south of Bere Alston and hosts a mobile home. The wider site of Harling Farm contains a large modern agricultural barn, another mobile home (unauthorised), a storage container, another timber building and a timber building with associated pen area for cats. There are further dwellings in third party ownership to the north east of the wider site.”

Officer report

Why officers recommended refusal

Officers found no essential functional or financial need and considered that the mobile home harmed local character and the National Landscape.

“The site is also located within the Tamar Valley National Landscape and impacts on the National Landscape which is referred to in Footnote 7 of the NPPF as being an area where part(i) of Para 11d applies.”

“The continued siting of the mobile home and its use as accommodation for an agricultural worker is not supported by an essential need and is contrary to the provisions of SPT1, SPT2, TTV1, TTV2, TTV26 and DEV15 and the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework, most notably paragraph 84a.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent supported the proposal and the parish representative described diversification and improvements at the farm.

What members debated

Members discussed agricultural need, the farm’s wider activities, rural economy policies, environmental harm and whether more time could be allowed.

“Committee Debate: The Head of Planning stated that it was necessary for Officers to advise Members on whether or not the harm to the environment and the agricultural justification outweighed the ‘tilted balance’ (as identified in the NPPF 2024 paragraph 11(d)).”

“Policy SPT2 was then specifically debated by a Member as to provision of facilities and a sustainable economy with business growth. Policy TTV1 prioritised growth in smaller villages and Policy TTV2 sustainable development, which supported the vitality of rural communities. Policy DEV15 supported the rural community and the proposals were only felt to be contrary to Policy TTV26 (i.e. the need to meet the need of an agricultural worker).”

Minutes

The vote

The officer recommendation for refusal was proposed, seconded and carried.

“After the debate, the officer recommendation for refusal was PROPOSED and SECONDED and, when put to the vote, declared CARRIED.”

Minutes

The decision

The application was refused because essential agricultural need was not demonstrated and the mobile home harmed landscape character and the Tamar Valley National Landscape.

“The siting of the mobile home and its use as accommodation for an agricultural worker is not supported by an essential need and is therefore contrary to the provisions of SPT1, SPT2, TTV1, TTV2, TTV26 and DEV15 of the Plymouth and South West Devon Joi9nt Local Plan (2014-2034) and the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework, most notably paragraph 84a; and…”

“The siting of the mobile home does not respond positively to the local building vernacular to the detriment of landscape character, thus failing to fulfil the statutory purpose for the conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty of the Tamar Valley National Landscape, contrary to the provisions of TTV26, DEV20, DEV 23, DEV25 of the Plymouth and South West Joint Local plan (2014-2034), E1 of the Bere Peninsula Neighbourhood Plan and the guidance contained within the…”

Minutes