Planning application refused – Land to the West of Barton Road

A great result for Gravenhurst and common sense!

Central Bedfordshire Council Planning has refused the application for a Lawful Development Certificate Existing for ‘buildings’ within a plot of land West of Barton Road that has had a number of previous planning applications refused by Central Bedfordshire Council and subsequent appeals dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate.

In summary the Planning Officers Delegated Report says that:

1. The evidence provided by the applicant is not considered sufficient to prove that on the balance of probability, that the ‘buildings’ which form the subject of the application have been used for storage, a stable, and kennels for a continuous period of 10 years.  The refusal of a Lawful Development Certificate Existing means that a developer cannot circumvent planning laws on this site and convert the ‘buildings’ into residential units under Permitted Development Rights (like Class Q).  Any development of this site must now be via a full planning application.   
2. In the case of the kennels building and two other dilapidated buildings on site, the use is considered to have been abandoned.  This is important because if the status of an agricultural building is “abandoned” it is of critical importance in planning applications because it can signify the loss of existing use rights, turning a potentially straightforward conversion or refurbishment into a requirement for full planning permission for a new development.

It is great to see that common sense prevails!

Please click here to read the Planning Officers Delegated Report.