Change of use of agricultural land and existing barn to equestrian use; erection of stock building, enclosure of lean-to to existing barn, creation of lunge ring and manege and siting of temporary mobile home to be used as equestrian workers dwelling.

The Team Manager – Development Management introduced the application and with reference to the drawings displayed, he drew Members’ attention to the location, layout and elevations.  He drew Members’ attention to the additional information as set out in the Schedule of Additional Letters circulated prior to the meeting and provided a verbal update on a further neighbour objection received following publication of the Schedule of Additional Letters.

Members had undertaken a site visit and had viewed the site and assessed the impact of the proposal on the surrounding area.

Councillor O Goode, representing Myndtown Combined Parish Council, spoke against the proposal in accordance with the Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees. 

In accordance with the Local Protocol for Councillors and Officers dealing with Regulatory Matters (Part 5, Paragraph 15) Councillor Charlotte Barnes, as local Ward Councillor, made a statement and then left the table, took no part in the debate and did not vote on this item.  During her statement the following points were raised:

·         Visibility in and out of the site was poor.  Although it appeared that this was a relatively quiet road it was one of the main routes into Shrewsbury.  If approved would like to see the access improved before any work commenced on site;

·         Any permanent dwelling in the future should remain affordable or include an agricultural occupancy tie;

·         The scale of the buildings would have an adverse impact on the landscape and the proposal generally would have an adverse impact on the AONB, tourism and surrounding area;

·         Concerned that the acreage would not accommodate the proposed number of horses;

·         There was no public transport and no footpaths; and

·         Expressed concerns with regard to lighting pollution and drainage.

Mr P Oakes, the applicant, spoke for the proposal in accordance with the Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.  In response to questions from Members, he provided further clarification with regard to the trench, the number of horses on site, traffic movements, sustainability and electricity provision.

In the ensuing debate, Members considered the submitted plans and noted the comments of all speakers.  In response to questions from Members, the Team Manager – Development Management drew Members attention to paragraphs 6.4.3 – 6.4.10 of the report which dealt with the provision of a temporary dwelling; confirmed that a permanent dwelling would be the subject of an agricultural occupancy tie; the Shropshire Council Drainage Officer had raised no objections to the proposal and appropriate conditions would be attached to any permission; provision of electricity was not a planning matter; and there was no proposal to install lighting but a lighting plan would have to be submitted and approved prior to the erection of any external lighting.

RESOLVED:

That full and temporary planning permission be granted as per the Officer’s recommendation, subject to:

·         The conditions set out in Appendix 1 to the report, subject to Condition No. 4 being amended to ensure that external surfaces of the development shall be BS18B29; and

·         That Planning Officers be given delegated powers to ensure the conditions relating to drainage are robust and adequate to ensure no flooding or drainage problems in the future.

(At this juncture, the meeting adjourned at 3:35 pm and reconvened at 3:42 pm.)

(At this juncture, Councillor J Hurst-Knight left the meeting and did not return.)