Agenda item

To determine the application.

David Rowen presented the report and drew members attention to the update report that had been circulated.

Members received a presentation, in accordance with the public participation procedure, from Shanna Jackson, on behalf of the agent. Mrs Jackson stated that the application is before committee with a recommendation of approval and it is for the change of use of agricultural land to equestrian use with the formation of an associated access track. She made the point that it is a countryside use within a countryside location, which is supported in principle by Policy LP3 of the Local Plan.

Mrs Jackson stated that the application proposes to change the use of the land to enable the stationing of horses for grazing and as part of the development an access track from Creek Fen is proposed, with works to the track having already commenced and the horses are in situ. She stressed that the proposal is not a commercial enterprise and there is no intention for the land to form a livery, with the situation being that the landowner rents the land to one person who puts a maximum of 4-5 horses on site and this complies with the ACAS recommendations of one horse per 0.5 of an acre.

Mrs Jackson stated that the number of horses accommodated within the site due to its size is restricted by the Animal Welfare Act 2006, with the proposal being entirely domestic in scale and as stated previously there is no intention for a commercial or business use to take place on site and as such the movements to and from the land will be limited. She made the point that the proposal has the support from the local Highway Authority on this basis and it is understood that there are neighbour concerns regarding damage to Creek Fen road, however, this is an adopted highway and this issue would be for the County Council to resolve.

Mrs Jackson expressed the opinion, as per the officer’s report, that the proposal is an acceptable form of development which complies with policies of the development plan. She requested that planning permission be granted as per the officer’s recommendation.

Members made comments, asked questions and received responses as follows:

·         Councillor Hicks stated that he visited the site and all the questions he had have been answered by the agent so he is happy with the proposal, it will have little impact to the area and he will be supporting it.

·         Councillor Imafidon stated that he supports the proposal, he acknowledged that there were fears that it might be a commercial venture but these have been allayed.

·         Councillor Connor stated that he also supports the application, he cannot see anything wrong with it, there will only be 3 or 4 horses on the land and as long as it is not a commercial venture and let to one person he is satisfied

Proposed by Councillor Hicks, seconded by Councillor Imafidon and agreed that the application be GRANTED as per the officer’s recommendation.

(Councillor Mrs French declared that she has been involved with enforcement complaints in relation to this site for many years and took no part in the discussion and voting thereon. She further declared, in accordance with Paragraph 14 of the Code of Conduct on Planning Matters, that she is a member of March Town Council but takes no part in planning)

(Councillor Marks declared that he knows the applicant through business dealings and took no part in the discussion and voting thereon)

(Councillor Hicks declared, in accordance with Paragraph 2 of the Code of Conduct on Planning Matters, that he had been lobbied on this application)