The creation of residential accommodation in
the open countryside would not be justified. Policy ST07 of the
North Devon and Torridge Local Plan (NDTLP) seeks to restrict new
development in the countryside to that which requires a rural
location and provides for social or economic needs. This policy is
further supported by DM28 of the NDTLP relating to rural workers
dwellings and paragraph 79 of the National Planning Policy
Framework (NPPF).
In this case, none of the exceptions referred to in policies ST07,
DM28 or paragraph 79 would apply as there is no exceptional need
for occupants to reside in the open countryside and there are no
agricultural operations on site associated with the occupants.
Residential occupancy of the land is not necessary in this
location.
The existing building comprises of timber stables, which has been
part converted with timber cladding and domestic style door and
windows, domesticating the stable. By virtue of the incongruous
materials and design form, the development is not acceptable either
in terms of design of a residential unit or for a stable block. In
terms of the design, the materials and fenestration are contrary to
design policies ST07, ST04 and DM04 of the NDTLP.
The caravan is not required for any lawful purpose and therefore
its storage on the land is contrary to policies ST07, DM28 of the
NDTLP and paragraph 79 of the NPPF.
There is a proliferation of non-agricultural items and
paraphernalia on the agricultural land, which have no functional
necessity to be stored there. The scale of such storage is
detrimental to the undeveloped character of this part of the open
countryside and is contrary to policies ST04, ST14, DM04, DM08A of
the NDTLP and part 12 of the NPPF.
Decision type: Non-key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 24/11/2020
Decision due: 18 Aug 2020 by Head of Place
Contact: Michael Tichford, Head of Place Email: michael.tichford@northdevon.gov.uk.