Agenda item

This was an application full planning permission for a change of use and creation of a Ménage including the erection of a fence on land adjacent to Yew Tree Manor, Pave Lane, Chetwynd Aston, Newport, Shropshire.  The ménage would measure 20 metres in width by 40 metres in length, and be constructed from a non-woven membrane with a riding surface on top.  A 1.3 metre high timber fence would be constructed around the border to keep the horses contained and would be accessed from the south, from the entrance to Yew Tree Barn.

Councillor A Eade, Ward Member, had requested that the application be determined by the Planning Committee.

Councillor D Griffin spoke on behalf of the Parish Councillor who raised representations regarding the impact on Yew Tree Manor, the conditions with regards to lighting and whether the ménage could be turned 90 degrees or relocated to the adjoining field.  It was also asked that the hedge be put in place prior to the ground works commencing.

Councillor A Eade, Ward Councillor, spoke against the application and he raised concerns regarding the application was contrary to Policy BE1 Section 1 and Section 2, the impact on the landscape and neighbouring property, the slope of the land, highway safety and visual access to the site.  He requested that the condition no business use be changed to personal use only.

Mrs E Williams, a member of the public, spoke against the application which she felt went against Policy BE1 and raised concerns regarding the segmenting of the land, future business use, controls and monitoring of the site, highway visibility, impact on the amenity, additional noise, the establishment of the hedgerow and asked that the ménage be relocated to the adjoining field.

Mr W Askin, Applicant, spoke in favour of the application.  This area was already used for practice and the horses were schooled, lunged and jumped without loss of amenity, noise or light pollution.  Having to travel off site would create unnecessary equine traffic.  There would be no lighting, a two metre hedge would screen the area from the ground floor.  The ground would be excavated to reduce the height of the horse and rider and there would be no access by the general public.  The alternative site would impact 6 dwellings and the local public house/beer gardens and the horses could not be grazed on this site.

The Planning Officer informed Members that the landscaping would soften the visual appearance of the ménage that there would be no additional traffic created and that a condition would be changed from “no business use” to “personal use only”.

During the ensuing debate, some Members felt that due to the change to the condition to “personal use only” and confirmation that there would be no lighting on the site, the establishment of a hedge and the alternative site was not suitable that they were happy to support the application.  Other Members raised concerns regarding it being contrary to Policy BE1, the slope of the ground, noise and impact on amenity and it was suggested that a site visit take place.

On being put to the vote it was, by a majority:-

RESOLVED – that in respect of Planning Application TWC/2020/0116 that delegated authority be granted to the Development Management Service Delivery Manager to grant planning permission subject to the Conditions set out in the report, as amended to restrict the use of the ménage to personal use only, and the proposed new hedgerow being of a native species (with authority to finalise conditions and reasons for approval to be delegated to Development Management Service Delivery Manager).