We are pleased to have helped secure planning approval for a temporary agricultural worker’s dwelling, which will support a cattle rearing business on adjacent farmland. We provided a Rural Enterprise Dwelling Appraisal in support of the application and acted in an advisory role to the project team, in regard to design, scale and the principle of such a development on site.
The importance of a Rural Enterprise Dwelling Appraisal as part of your application
We were asked to assist by the land agent, following concerns raised by the Local Planning Authority over the size of the proposed development. An added complexity was the site’s location within the open countryside and within the Cotswolds National Landscape.
Following discussions with the client about their aspirations for the site, a detailed review of the project to date, and feedback from the LPA, the key planning issues we were tasked with resolving included:
- the principle of development;
- the design and scale of the rural workers dwelling.
A dwelling in this location was against policy. It was therefore imperative that a cogent case was made to support the fact that the unit was to meet the essential needs of a rural worker who needed to live permanently on site, to ensure the proper functioning of the business.
The proper presentation of the functional and financial evidence was key. To facilitate this we acted in an advisory role to the project team, identifying how best to amend the proposals to respond to and appease LPA concerns, whilst also ensuring the requirements of the project brief and agricultural tenant continued to be met. We also prepared a detailed Rural Enterprise Dwelling Appraisal – providing the necessary functional evidence for why such a dwelling was needed on site to support the current and future expansion of the business.
Planning support for environmental stewardship and regenerative farming processes
The enterprise at our client’s farm is truly inspiring. Environmental stewardship and regenerative farming processes are at the heart of their ethos, and they are working for their land to become a certified Pasture for Life. Furthermore, they are seeking to create a closed breeding herd. Given these aspirations, the constant need for a farm worker on site was evident, not only in regard to financial considerations, but also in terms of the nature of the enterprise on site.
As the farm’s main venture was a suckler herd, the on-site presence of the farm worker was critical not only during calving, but to address winter housing challenges, disease management and year-round calving. More than this, as part of the business plan our client sought to implement a mob style grazing system to involve cattle, poultry and then sheep to optimise forage use and promote biodiversity.
The sheep enterprise would require close attention especially during lambing and at weaning and tupping. As for the poultry enterprises, predator control, disease prevention and biosecurity would all mean that the farm worker’s presence would be required on site all year.
How to make the planning case for a rural worker’s dwelling
Following a detailed review of operations on site, both current and future, we prepared a robust statement in support of the need for a rural worker to live on site, pulling out the key business and planning justifications. We evidenced how the need could not be met by existing dwellings in the locality or through the conversion of existing buildings and justified why the siting, size and design were all acceptable given the somewhat sensitive nature of the site. We also reviewed and analysed the wider submission pack, including the business plan and found it to be sound.
Thanks to our detailed Rural Enterprise Dwelling Appraisal, the case officer agreed that the Appraisal clearly made a strong case for why a rural worker was needed on site. Furthermore, despite the sensitive location, our proposed change in design and the siting of the cabin appeased any concerns on impact. The case officer felt there was no reason to challenge any of the views in the report and this was supported by the council’s own agricultural consultant.
Need a rural planning expert? We can help
Our rural planning expert Sam Eachus is a rural chartered surveyor and a member of the British Institute of Agricultural Consultants (BIAC)- he has specialised in rural development including rural workers’ dwellings for over 8 years. Sam is experienced in farm diversification, including: glamping, wedding venues, barn conversions, business hubs and farm shops. He also has a nuanced understanding of the issues associated with rural enterprises and has extensive experience advising on the need for rural workers’ dwellings both in the private and public sector.
Sam can provide full planning consultancy support on your rural development project, or as in this example, prepare reports and act in advisory capacity as part of a wider team to help make the most robust submission for your project.
About us
We are Plainview Planning, now part of McLoughlin Planning – a solutions orientated, experienced and knowledgeable team of planning consultants. If you need professional and informed planning support with your development project, then contact our team via enquiries@plainview.co.uk, or call us on 01242 501003, providing the site address and a brief overview of your project. We look forward to helping you.
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