Agenda item

REFUSED

Description of application – Change of use of land and buildings to commercial livery yard, dressage centre and incidental groom’s accommodation (Retrospective Application).

Oral representations in support of the application were received at the meeting.

Comments from Ward Member Councillor Richard Scoates in objection to the application were reported.

The Development Control Manager advised that should permission be granted, it would be subject to the prior completion of a Section 106 Agreement. An update on this matter was circulated to Members.

Members were also informed that breaches of condition should not be considered as part of this application. 

Comments in regard to conditions 4 and 6 were reported.

Members having considered the report, objections and representations, RESOLVED that PERMISSION BE REFUSED for the following reasons:-

1  The proposed development is inappropriate development in the Green Belt, causing harm to the openness and character of the Green Belt and the purposes of including land within the Green Belt which is not clearly outweighed by any benefits of the development and therefore very special circumstances do not exist contrary to Policies G1 of the Unitary Development Plan and 7.16 of the London Plan and section 9 – Protecting Green Belt Land – of the National Planning Policy Framework.

2  The proposed development by reason of the intensification of horse related activities, including grazing not in accordance with the British Horse Society’s recommended standards, would be harmful to the open and rural character of the Green Belt and detrimental to the surrounding countryside, contrary to Policies L3 and L4 of the Unitary Development Plan.