A Hampshire farm owner’s plans to replace yurts by building houses have been blocked by Winchester planning chiefs.
Members of Winchester City Council’s planning committee were told that allowing building to go ahead under the tourism policy used by the applicant was running rings around the authority.
Ellie Strange of The Sanctuary, Manor Farm Green, Twyford - near Colden Common - submitted plans wanting to replace three yurts with one three-bedroom and one two-bedroom holiday let house.
She also wanted to convert an existing facilities building to a one-bedroom let.
The plans said two existing yurts would be retained and used to provide services during the tourist accommodation period from April 1 to October 31.
Chairperson Councillor Jane Rutter (Lib Dem, The Worthys) said: “It is a difficult decision to make. I would like to think it is a fresh start for this application. Concerns from local residents need to be respected however the planning policy supports tourism use. The tourism use was established by the Planning Inspectorate.”
Six of the eight members of Winchester City Council’s planning committee voted to refuse planning permission that had been applied for under the tourism policy.
The officer’s report said 32 objections from different addresses, two letters of support and one neutral had been received by the council. Concerns raised included no evidence of holiday use, the site moving towards residential use and pollutants increasing into River Itchen.
Councillor Chris Corcoran who spoke to object to plans at the meeting said the owners had “run rings” around the local authority planning chiefs using development under the tourism policy to expand. He said during the last 13 years there was evidence of a commercial camper but it had been used by friends and family.
While members heard how there was no evidence that the holiday let yurts had ever been used commercially it was advised it was also not the committee’s concern when considering the application.
The officers reassured members that once built, the “lodges” could not be let on six-month or short-term leases and only occupied during the holiday let period.
Councillor Jerry Pett (Lib Dem, Upper Meon Valley) said the design did not positively comply with the South Downs National Park Authority guidelines as it was not “good design”.
Councillor Paula Langford-Smith (Con, Denmead) said it was better to retain the yurts as a greater number of visitors could be accommodated to sleep in the yurts than the new houses.
The council officer said the loss of tourism of five yurts with eight occupants provided 40 beds and this would be reduced to 12.
It was refused based on its design and in the reduction of visitor accommodation numbers.
The decision report said the design failed to positively contribute to the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the park.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated: 1st January 1970 12:00 am
Report this comment Cancel