PROPOSED AGRICULTURAL BARN AT BLUNTS FARM, LANE, THEYDON BOIS, EPPING, , CM16 7NT PLANNING STATEMENT

Background

Blunts Farm, Coopersale Lane, Theydon Bois extends to 11.7 hectares (29 acres) which has been owned by the applicant, Mrs June Axon for over 35 years. The land is currently down to grass for the production of hay. The site was used for the production of wheat until a couple of years ago and is eligible for single farm payment.

Existing buildings on the site are unsuitable for modern day agriculture due to location within the yard and condition.

Proposal

It is proposed to erect an 18.3 metre x 9.1 metre building adjacent to the boundary to the north east of the site to the rear of existing buildings.

The building will be an open fronted agricultural building for the storage of hay with a lockable bay for the secure storage of machinery and equipment. It will be a typical agricultural building constructed from box profile steel sheeting with a fibre cement roof.

The proposed building is modest in size and has been located so as not to intrude on the Green Belt. Agricultural buildings are considered appropriate development within the Green Belt.

Planning Policy

National planning policy is contained within the NPPF as follows:-

Paragraph 28 – Supporting a Prosperous Rural Economy

“Planning policies should support economic growth in rural areas in order to create jobs and prosperity by taking a positive approach to sustainable new development. To promote a strong rural economy, local and neighbourhood plans should:

 Support the sustainable growth and expansion of all types of business and enterprise in rural areas, both through conversion of existing buildings and well designed new buildings;  Promote the development and diversification of agricultural and other land based rural businesses…….”

Paragraph 89 – Green Belt

A local planning authority should regard the constriction of new buildings as inappropriate in Green Belt. Exceptions to this are:

 Buildings for agriculture and forestry;  Provision of appropriate facilities for outdoor sport, outdoor recreation and for cemeteries, as long as it preserves the openness of the Green Belt and does not conflict with the purposes of including land within it;  The extension or alteration of a building provided that it does not result in disproportionate additions over and above the size of the original building…..”

Permitted development rights under Section 6 of the GPDO would normally be exercised for this type of agricultural building on an agricultural unit of over 5 hectares, however the proposed location of the building is on a site of less than 1 hectare and within 3 km of an airfield meaning full permission has to be applied for.

Acorus Comments

The proposal is for a modern modest sized agricultural building to serve an agricultural unit which would normally be permitted development, however the parcel of land it is to be sited on is less than 1 hectare and there is an airfield within 3 km. The principal of allowing an agricultural buildings on agricultural land is however established within Part 6 of the GPDO.

National planning policy supports the erection of agricultural buildings, which are also considered appropriate development within the Green Belt.

The proposed building is modest in size and of a typical construction for the purposes of agriculture with open bays for the storage of hay and a lockable bay for the secure storage of machinery and equipment.

Due to its siting there will be minimal visual impact.