Agenda item

Proposal: Retention of mobile home as a temporary workers dwelling

Location: Orchard Corner Farm, Drift Lane, Barkston, Lincolnshire

Recommendation: To authorise the Assistant Director – Planning to GRANT planning permission, subject to conditions.

 

Proposal: Retention of mobile home as a temporary workers dwelling

Location: Orchard Corner Farm, Drift Lane, Barkston, Lincolnshire

Recommendation: To authorise the Assistant Director – Planning to GRANT planning permission, subject to conditions.

 

Noting comments in the public speaking session by:

 

Against               Steve Elnor

Applicant            Charlotte Majors

 

Together with:

 

·       Provisions within SKDC Local Plan 2011-2036 and National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

·       Comments received from LCC Highways & SuDS Support.

·       Comments received from Agricultural Consultant.

·       No comments received from Barkston Parish Council.

·       Comments received from Councillor Ian Stokes.

 

During questions to Public Speakers, Members commented on:

 

·       Members requested the needs of the alpacas and why they required 24-hour care.

 

The Applicant confirmed that alpacas were stoic animals and tended to not make it known if they were to become unwell. Issues around birthing and premature births of alpacas meant that a member of staff would need to be on site.

 

·       It was queried whether the business had been moved from a previous site, as the choice of site seemed unpractical.

 

The business had moved from a previous site, due to the proposed site being larger in acre size.

 

(It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to extend the meeting to 17:30)

 

·       Concern was raised on site selection and poor site access.

 

The Applicant selected the site due to size. The site was purchased with the access and the alpacas would be walked rather than transported in a vehicle.

 

·       It was queried whether other security measures had been explored, such as CCTV.

 

The Applicant clarified they would feel uncomfortable with CCTV measures due to the size of the field.

 

The Assistant Director of Planning clarified that dwellings in the open countryside were not always automatically accepted by policy, however, an exception was given for agricultural workers. A full business case and justification of function needs would be assessed to ensure the sustainability of the business. A temporary permission was recommended in order to establish the agricultural need.

 

The access to the site was a civil matter and would be dealt with separately to the planning process.

 

·       It was queried whether a sheltered storage was required on site for the storage of hay.

 

The Applicant confirmed a barn was on site where hay could be stored. It was further confirmed that alpacas did not require shelter and could live outside all year round.

 

·       One Member queried whether the business would detrimentally be affected, if the application was not approved.

 

The Application clarified that the business would not be able to continue, if the application was not approved.

 

·       Whether the caravan itself had any services in terms of electricity, water and waste water.

 

The caravan had water and electricity at present and waste water was currently recycled. The caravan within the proposal would remain the same.

 

·       Concern was raised on how general waste would be collected and how the Applicant’s received any mail.

 

The Applicant confirmed that general waste was currently either recycled or taken to the local recycling centre. All mail was forwarded onto a relative’s address.

 

During questions to Officers and debate, Members commented on:

 

·       The weight given to the application in 2 years time was discussed in terms of a dwelling.

 

An agricultural dwelling or temporary caravan was based on the functional need associated with the agricultural use. The reason for giving temporary permissions as a first instance was to test the need.

 

It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to authorise the Assistant Director – Planning to GRANT planning permission, subject to conditions:

 

Time Limit for Commencement

 

1        The development hereby permitted is for a temporary period of 2 years from the date of this decision. The development hereby permitted shall cease and the mobile home shall be removed from the site following the expiration of 2 years from this date.

         

Reason: The ensure that the development is undertaken in accordance with the submitted details.

 

Approved Plans

 

2        The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with planning application form, and with the following list of approved plans:

                    

i.               The Location Plan, received on 2^nd Aug 2023

ii.              Site Plan Dated 31/07/2023.

 

                     Unless otherwise required by another condition of this permission.

              

                     Reason: To define the permission and for the avoidance of doubt.

 

 

Ongoing Conditions

 

3        The mobile home hereby permitted shall be occupied solely by person(s) working in agriculture specifically the adjacent business Orchard Corner Alpacas, Drift Lane, Barkston.

 

          Reason: The occupation of dwelling in the open countryside is considered acceptable in relation to the adjacent agricultural business only in accordance with Local Plan Policy SP5.

 

(The Committee had a 5-minute break)