One three-bedroom dwelling at Arle Barns Arlebury Park Barns Alresford, New Alresford

The site and surroundings

The site lies outside New Alresford’s settlement boundary at the end of a private road, with nearby homes, agricultural land and existing outbuildings.

“The application site is positioned to the west of the main town centre of New Alresford, outside of defined settlement boundaries. Access to the site is from the northern edge of The Avenue, and the site lies at the end of a long private road that grants access to various residential dwellings in close proximity to the site.”

“Within the application site itself is a steel framed agricultural barn with a row of dilapidated brick outbuildings forming the southern site boundary and adjoing 1 Arlebury Park Mews. To the east, a brick wall forms the boundary with the curtilage of The Old Bothy in Arlebury Park Barns. The agricultural land to the north is separated from the site by a substantial row of what appear to be self-seeded sycamore trees atop a small bank of earth.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier proposals for a dwelling were refused, while prior approval was granted for converting the existing barn into a three-bedroom home.

“01/01446/FUL - Conversion of existing building into a three bedroom dwelling and erection of a double garage. Refused 13 August 2001.”

“23/02290/PNACOU - Arlebury Park Barn - Proposed barn conversion, Natural light via existing & proposed new openings. Prior Approval Required and Approved 23rd November 2023.”

Officer report

Why officers recommended approval

Although the proposal conflicted with countryside policy, officers considered the approved conversion a likely fallback and identified benefits including nutrient mitigation, landscaping and improved sustainability.

“The proposed development results in the creation of a new residential dwelling in a countryside location. This is contrary to Policy MTRA4 of the Local Plan Part 1, which states that development will only be permitted if it has an operational need for a countryside location, and states that proposals for the reuse of existing rural buildings should be for employment, tourist accommodation, community use, or affordable housing only.”

“The successful prior approval application means there is existing permission for a residential dwelling on the site, albeit by conversion of the existing barn rather than replacement of the barn entirely, as proposed here. It also represents a viable fallback position that is likely to be implemented by the applicant should this current planning application be refused.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The town council raised no objection, technical consultees supported the proposal subject to conditions, and Natural England accepted the mitigation approach.

“Service Lead – Sustainability and Natural Environment (Landscape) – • Satisfied landscape plan is appropriate. • Recommended condition to ensure landscape works carried out appropriately. • Service Lead – Sustainability and Natural Environment (Trees) – • Requested further detail to ensure protection of trees. • Applicant requested this is secured by condition. • Tree Officer satisfied with that approach and provided suitable condition.”

“Natural England – • Agrees with conclusions of the appropriate assessment. • No objection subject to appropriate mitigation secured by condition.”

Officer report

What people said

Seven objections cited countryside development, access, rural character, scale, ecology, trees, lighting, outbuildings and possible commercial use, while one representation supported it.

“Objecting Representations received from different addresses citing the following material planning reasons: • Development in countryside • Access to site • Impact on rural character • Scale of proposed dwelling • Ecology & trees • Light pollution • Use of outbuildings • Commercial use of site…”

“Supporting Representation received citing the following material planning reasons: • No reasons given.”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector spoke against the application, and a supporter spoke in favour and answered members’ questions.

Members’ discussion

Members discussed the application, including adjacent land, and were advised that the land remained agricultural rather than residential garden or amenity land.

“The committee proceeded to ask questions and debate the application and received advice from the Legal Advisor, who updated the committee regarding the adjacent piece of land raised during the public speaking session. He advised that a previous application for a lawful development certificate had asserted the land in question was residential garden (C3 use).”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee granted permission with the report and update conditions, adding a further condition restricting the outbuildings to incidental or ancillary use.

“RESOLVED 1. The committee agreed to grant permission for the reasons and subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report and the update. That an additional condition be included regarding the outbuildings to ensure that the use of them was limited to incidental or ancillary purposes only, and that they would not be subdivided, rented out, or converted in any way.”

Minutes