Issue - meetings

This application was for the change of use of land from agriculture land to private garden land at land adjacent Hillside, Middle Lane, Cold Hatton Heath, Telford, Shropshire.

The application was before Planning Committee at the request of Councillor Stephen Bentley, Ward Councillor.

The Planning Officer informed Members that some additional photographs had been received since publication of the report and that these would be shown in the presentation.

Councillor S Bentley spoke against the application and raised concerns regarding the natural boundaries, the use of agricultural land and Hillside being a smallholding, the gateway into a larger open field, change of use would allow potential development and development rights needed to be considered.  A Certificate of Lawfulness had been refused as it was considered to be in open countryside and there had been an installation of a large play area which had been subject to removal by enforcement, this application had come forward within three months and he failed to see what had changed.  He felt that agricultural land needed to be protected and a change of use to garden land took away from this and that Hillside had increased its footprint three-fold.  The application was not supported by Policy SP3 and it was not supported by the NPPF and he asked that the Committee refuse the application.

Ms T Luckman, member of public, spoke against the application and asked Members to refuse the change of use from agricultural land.  She raised concerns that this would wrap the eastern and rear boundary of her property along the full length.  It conflicted with the Telford and Wrekin Local Plan, the Waters Upton Neighbourhood Plan and the NPPF, it fell within the Green Network Framework which protected green spaces, rural encroachment into agricultural land was considered harmful without a justified need.  The land remained part of the agricultural land within Cold Hatton and continued to be farmed at the rear and was highly visible from Middle Lane and contributed to its undeveloped character a change of use would introduce suburban characteristics permanently altering the street scene. It was contrary to Policy SP3 and BE1 and once the land became residential curtilage it would be easier to justify future development proposals.

The Applicant spoke in favour of the application explaining that they had purchased Hillside in 2022 as a complete renovation project and that the property had been a dilapidated bungalow with no kerb appeal.  The land in question had been maintained as a mown lawn and was intended for use as a garden and a play space for their children.  It was confirmed that the hedgerows and gates would remain in place and regular maintenance would take place and the existing laurel hedge provided privacy at one metre thick.  This parcel of land had not been used for agricultural purposes for a significant period and had not been physically separated from the current garden land.  There had been no objection to the change of use from the Parish Council and that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56