Construction of stables, manege and temporary mobile home and change of use of land from agricultural to equestrian use. (Report to follow)

The Principal Planning Officer introduced the application for the construction of stables, manege and temporary mobile home and change of use of land from agricultural to equestrian use. It was explained that the application had been considered at the previous meeting held on 20^th January 2015 at which Members had been minded to refuse Planning Permission due to concerns in relation to the visual impact of the proposed development and the viability of the enterprise.  Further information had been provided within the officer’s report which sought to address the concerns raised at the previous meeting.  The officer’s report recommended approval of the application.

The Principal Planning Officer drew member’s attention to the Schedule of Additional Letters, which contained the report by Reading Agricultural Consultants, which had previously be circulated to Members of the Planning Committee.

Mr Leslie Smith, planning agent on behalf of local residents spoke against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees during which a number of points were raised including the following:

·         The late submission of the Reading Agricultural report had prejudiced the decision making process and urged the Committee to refuse or defer the application; and

·         If the Committee were minded to approve the application the Conditions 7 and 11 should be amended to comply with Shropshire Core Strategy Policy CS6.

Councillor Chris Symes, Welshampton & Lyneal Parish Council spoke against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees during which a number of points were raised including the following:

·         The poaching of the site was not being given proper consideration;

·         The site was wet all year round; and

·         Even if the land were of good quality and did not have the problems referred to, it would struggle to be big enough to support an equine business of the size proposed.

Mrs Kelsey, the applicant, spoke in support of the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees during which a number of points were raised including the following:

·         There were no current objections from any of the statutory consultees;

·         The business had been profitable for two years, bred competition horses for international clients and held a strong client base, all of which proved the sustainability of the business;

·         That the poaching and visual impact would be limited once the stables were erected; and

·         Many letters of support had been received.

In accordance with Rule 6.1 of the Council Procedure Rules contained in Part 4 of Shropshire Council’s Constitution, Councillor Brian Williams addressed the Committee as the Local Member, during which a number of point were raised including the following:

·         The proposed development was not diversifying the rural economy;

·         The proposals did not meet local need; and

·         The proposals did not meet Policies CS5 and CS6 of the Shropshire Core Strategy and for this reason should be refused.

Having considered the submitted plans and given consideration to the independent report by Reading Agricultural Consultants, which addressed many of the Committee’s original concerns, the majority of Members supported the Officer’s recommendation, subject to additional conditions in relation to the electricity generator and the mobile field shelters.             

RESOLVED:

That planning permission be granted in accordance with the Officer’s recommendations, subject to the conditions set out in Appendix 1 and additional conditions relating to the insulation of the onsite electricity generator and the details of the mobile field shelters to be submitted before being brought on site.