Turbocam manufacturing use at Gravel Hill Farm, Shirrell Heath, Southampton

What was proposed

The application sought a bespoke Turbocam manufacturing use, minor rooflight alterations and an external plant enclosure without extending the existing building.

“The application seeks consent for the change of use from Use Classes B1c/B2/B8 to Sui Generis, specifically tailored to meet the operational requirements of the proposed business, Turbocam UK. Turbocam specialise in creating innovative manufacturing solutions for high performance turbomachinery flow path components.”

“No extension is proposed to the building; the height, scale and mass of the building would remain the same. The gross floor space of the existing building (4,562 square metres) will not change as a result of this application.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The industrial building is set back from Gravel Hill, surrounded by hardstanding and bunds, with ancient woodland and a designated nature site along its northern boundary.

“The application site is situated along the Gravel Hill in Shirrell Heath where the site is accessed from. Access to the site involves passing through two gates. The first gate is located directly off Gravel Hill, providing entry to a hardcore driveway that leads to a second gate. This second gate gives access to the hardstanding area that surrounds the industrial building.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

The site has permissions for industrial and employment uses, while an application to discharge an external-lighting condition was refused in 2024.

“21/02897/DIC – Discharge of condition 7 of planning application 19/00001/FUL – Refused 31/01/2024 • 19/00001/FUL - Full planning application for the change of use of the existing B2 Industrial Unit to a flexible B1c/B2/B8 use – Permitted 28/05/2019 • 16/01145/FUL - Full planning application for the change of use of the existing horticultural nursery at AE Roberts, Shirrell Heath from agricultural to B2 General Industrial use – Permitted 07/10/2016 • 11/02799/FUL - Siting…”

Officer report

Why officers recommended approval

Officers considered the proposal acceptable because it would retain employment use and would not harm the area, neighbours, transport, ecology or drainage, subject to conditions.

“The application seeks the change of use of an existing industrial building located within the countryside, outside any defined settlement boundary. The site contains a permanent and structurally sound building with an established lawful B2 (General Industrial) use, and the proposal represents the continued use of this building for employment purposes within an appropriate location, in accordance with policies SP3 and E9 of the Local Plan.”

“Owing to the re-use of the existing built form, the limited nature of physical works, the high degree of visual screening, and the containment of activity within the established envelope of the site, the proposal would not result in visual or physical harm to the rural character of the area, nor would it undermine the function or openness of the Bishops Waltham / Swanmore / Waltham Chase / Shedfield / Shirrell Heath Settlement Gap.”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

The parish council objected, while consultees raised no objections subject to conditions or an informative; 78 representations objected and eight supported.

“Service Lead – Public Protection (Environmental Health) – No objection subject to conditions • No adverse comments to make regarding predicted noise impacts (subject to recommended conditions). • Recommend condition on hours of loading and unloading operations. • Recommend condition securing noise mitigation measures in the roof. • Recommend condition to secure acoustic fence enclosure for new external plant.”

“Nature Space – No objection, recommend informative • Due to limited scale of work, it is unlikely that the proposal would impact great crested newts or their habitat. • Recommend informative. Representations:”

Officer report

Main concerns raised

Concerns included noise, 24-hour operation, traffic, HGVs, highway safety, rural character, lighting, wildlife, flooding and inadequate drainage information.

“Objecting Representations received from different addresses citing the following material planning reasons: - Noise impact - Extra traffic generation - 24-hour industrial operation - Impact on rural character of the area - Impact on residential amenity - Highway safety - HGV traffic - Outdoor lighting - Disturbance to wildlife…”

“- Infrastructure cannot support this change - Potential flooding - Concern use of building could be changed to various other uses - Conditions to protect surrounding trees and vegetation if approved - Limited public transport - Overdevelopment of the site - Insufficient justification and potential policy conflict - Flawed Noise Impact Assessment - Limited jobs provided - Air pollution – health concerns - No information on drainage - Lots of other sites available in urban…”

Officer report

Who spoke

A resident and the parish council spoke against the application, two supporters spoke for it, and Councillor V Achwal spoke against it as ward member.

The committee decision

The committee agreed to grant permission for the reasons and subject to the conditions and informatives in the report, update sheet and verbal update.

“The Committee proceeded to ask questions and debate the application.”

“The committee agreed to grant permission for the reasons and subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the Report, the Update Sheet and the verbal update…”

Minutes