Agenda item

REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER

Extension and conversion of the existing barn into a four bedroom dwelling with associated landscaping, following demolition of non-original stable extension, car port and lean-to structure (as amended by drawing nos. 300-Pr; 301-Pr; 302-Pr; 303-Pr; 310-Pr; 311-Pr; 312-Pr; 313-Pr; 314-Pr; _ 315-Pr received 3rd October 2025).

RESOLVED: That application 25/01539/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to the reasons and conditions set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager.

Audio recording – 5 minutes 18 seconds

N.B. Councillor Bryony May declared an interest in this item due to her husband being a Trustee for the Conservators of Therfield Heath and Greens. Councillor May advised that following advice received from the Locum Planningl Lawyer, she would leave the Council Chamber for consideration of the item.

The Senior Planning Officer provided a verbal update on matters relating to Application 25/01539/FP and advised that Cllr May was correct and a letter had been received from the Conservators of Therfield Heath and Greens, requesting a £680 financial contribution towards signage and website project. This was based on the Therfield Heath Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) Mitigation Strategy published in November 2022.

The Senior Planning Officer then presented the report in respect of Application 25/01539/FP accompanied by a visual presentation consisting of plans and photographs.

The following Members asked questions:

·       Councillor Dave Winstanley

·       Councillor Louise Peace

·       Councillor Tom Tyson

·       Councillor Val Bryant

·       Councillor Ruth Brown

In response to questions, the Senior Planning Officer advised that:

·       The objection received from the Highway Authority was based on the principle of a new dwelling in a rural area. This was contrary to the Local Transport Plan and it was also the same objection received in the previous application.

·       The main difference between this application and the previous application was to build a larger car port and garage and to replace the lean-to with a single storey extension.

·       The tree within proximity to the new building would be retained.

·       This application did not meet the requirements for a Section 106 agreement.

·       No response had been received from Therfield Parish Council.

·       The footprint of the application was slightly larger than the previous application.

The Chair invited the Applicant, Mr Leon Cassidy to speak in support of the application. Mr Cassidy thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, and highlighted the following:

·       The original objection to the planning application had been overturned in April 2024.

·       This application was to build a forever home for the Applicant and his family.

·       The planned renovations were sympathetic and would ensure the preservation of a listed building.

In response to a point of clarification from Councillor Ruth Brown, Mr Cassidy advised that the extra space was required to convert the property into a forever home for his family.

Councillor Nigel Mason proposed to grant permission, and this was seconded by Councillor Martin Prescott.

The following Members took part in the debate:

·       Councillor Ruth Brown

·       Councillor Emma Fernandes

·       Councillor Val Bryant

Points raised during the debate included:

·       This application was on rural land which was not in the green belt.

·       This was a sympathetic scheme which would safeguard a listed building and give it a new lease of life.

Having been proposed and seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That application 25/01539/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to the reasons and conditions set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager.

N.B. Councillor Bryony May returned to the Chamber at 19:32.