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Agenda item

24/00186/FUL- Land South East Of Elkstone Studios, Elkstone

Proposal

Siting of 6no. shepherd huts for mixed retail and community use (Class E(a)/(b) and/or Class F2(a)) at Land South East Of Elkstone Studios Elkstone Gloucestershire GL53 9PQ

 

Case Officer

Andrew Moody

 

Ward Member

Councillor Julia Judd

 

Recommendation

Refuse

Minutes:

The application was for the siting of six shepherd huts for mixed retail and community use (Class E(a)/(b) and/or Class F2(a)) at Land South East Of Elkstone Studios, Elkstone, Gloucestershire, GL53 9PQ.

 

The Case Officer introduced the application. The uses would be for goods, hot food and essential goods.

 

The Interim Head of Legal Services stated that Cllr Judd had referred the application into the Committee but could partake in the debate. The legal test in this case was whether a fair-minded observer would think that the member was approaching the application with a sufficiently open mind so as to not predetermine it. 

 

The agent, Wendy Hopkins, addressed the Committee, reading a statement on behalf of the applicant. The statement made reference to the lack of objections and small footprint of the scheme.

 

Member Questions

Members asked questions of the Case Officer, who responded as follows;

  • The existing uses at Elkstone Studios were considered by officers to be town centre uses, inappropriate for the open countryside, contrary to polices EC7 and EC8. Although they would be small, they would be additional structures.
  • The application would be more likely to be supported by officers if it was reusing pre-existing farm buildings, however as these were new structures officers did not feel these were appropriate.
  • No Retail Impact Assessment was provided due to the small footprint.

 

 

Member Comments

Members made the following comments

  • Some members felt that the business should be encouraged to diversify, however it was felt that this application was a ‘tipping point’ for overdevelopment, and this was contrary to Local Plan policies EC7 and EC8.
  • Other members felt that the shepherd’s huts did not change the nature of the business, and were small.

 

 

Councillor Patrick Coleman proposed refusing the application, stating that the application was not appropriate as it was not reusing existing rural buildings.

 

The proposal was seconded by Councillor Ian Watso

 

 

Supporting documents:

 

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