Agenda item

Application Proposal: Siting of 1 no. mobile home for agricultural worker (temporary dwelling) and alterations to access (part retrospective)

The Lead Planning Officer presented his report to members with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation. The presentation included plans to show the proposed siting of the mobile home as well as photographs to show the site.

He explained that the applicant had argued that it was essential that he lived on site in order to support the business. The Area Lead Planning Officer explained that planning policy guidance recommended that certain criteria needed to be met. In this case, whether there was a functional need for the worker to remain on site and whether the business was viable. A consultant had been employed to assess the site. The financial test confirmed that the business could be viable; however the functional requirements had not been met and that advised that a worker would only be required a full time presence on site during farrowing events. He therefore recommended that the application be refused.

Mr H Williams spoke in support of the application. He advised that he was a qualified agriculturist and knew the applicant. He explained how the applicant was hard-working and was committed to the business, which he described as being a niche product which required a high standard of work. He pointed out that the Parish Council supported the application. 

Mrs J Montgomery, the agent, addressed the members. She advised that the business was financially sound and advised that the council recognises that a full time member of staff was required. She advised that the calculations contained within the agricultural report do not take into account that sows do not always start farrowing on time and argued that a member of staff should be on site for 7 days per farrowing, this would equate to 60 weeks per year. She explained to members that adverse weather and damage to fences occur and that this was a labour intensive business.

Mr J Hull, the applicant, addressed the Committee. He described examples of times where piglets had died or had disappeared and explained that this would have been less likely to have happened if he lived on site. He further explained that he has been the victim of burglaries and that fences have been damaged. He advised members that this is affecting both his and his livestock’s welfare and whilst he lives off-site, he finds getting insurance difficult.

Councillor Mike Lewis, Ward Member, advised that he had agricultural experience which included keeping pigs and offered his support to the application. He also pointed out the owner of the adjoining land offered support.

During the discussion, members noted that the application was for the temporary siting of a mobile home rather than for the permanent siting.

Following the short discussion, it was proposed and seconded that the application be approved, contrary to the officer recommendation, subject to conditions to ensure that the mobile home is removed after three years, that suitable landscaping on the site remains and that the mobile home could only be occupied by persons involved in agriculture.

On being put to the vote, this was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:  that planning application 17/04176/FUL be approved, contrary to the officers recommendation for the following reason;

01.          The proposal is considered to have satisfied the functional requirements for a temporary agricultural workers dwelling and the overall scheme is considered to respect the character of the local landscape and results in no demonstrable harm to visual or residential amenity or highway safety in accordance with the aims and objectives of policies SD1, SS1, HG9, TA5, TA6 and EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan (2006-2028) and to the aims and objectives of the National Planning Policy Framework.

Subject to the following conditions;

1.         The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

Reason: To accord with the provisions of section 91 (1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

2.         The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: 17153-1A received 18 October 2017.

            Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.

3.         The temporary dwelling hereby permitted shall be removed and the land restored to its former condition within three years of the date of this permission.      

Reason: Permission was granted on a temporary basis in order to give sufficient time to demonstrate that the planned agricultural enterprise is economically viable in accordance with policy HG9 of the local plan.

4.         Any trees or plants, recently planted on the southern boundary of the holding, which within a period of five years from the completion of the development die, are removed or become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of similar size and species, unless the Local Planning Authority gives written consent to any variation.

Reason: To safeguard the character and appearance of the area and to accord with policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan, 2006.

5.         The occupation of the dwelling shall be limited to a person solely or mainly working in the locality in agriculture, or a widow or widower of such a person, and to any resident dependants.

Reason: The LPA would not have been prepared to grant permission for a new dwelling in this countryside location except for the essential need for the appellant to live permanently on site, in accordance with policy HG9 of the South Somerset Local Plan and the aims and provisions of the NPPF.

6.         The accommodation hereby approved shall only be provided within a caravan as defined by Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 (as amended).

            Reason: to determine the scope of the permission.

(voting: unanimous)