Agenda item

23/00920/FUL - The Granary, Chigborough Farm, Chigborough Road, Little Totham, Essex

To consider the report of the Director of Service Delivery, (copy enclosed, Members’ Update to be circulated)*.

Minutes:

 

Application Number

23/00920/FUL

Location

The Granary, Chigborough Farm, Chigborough Road, Little Totham, Essex

Proposal

Section 73a application for change of use of agricultural building to a cafe (Class E use) and provision of associated car parking.

Applicant

Mr P Tallowin

Agent

Miss Kate Jennings – Whirledge & Nott

Target Decision Date

15.01.2024

Case Officer

Kathryn Mathews

Parish

LITTLE TOTHAM

Reason for Referral to the Committee / Council

Member Call In

·        Councillor M FL Durham CC – Reason: Policy E4 and E5 relate to this application.

·        Councillor K M H Lagan - Reasons: Based on the high level of support that indicates that there is no material harm caused by granting this application and I believe that the adverse impact of granting planning permission would not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the development. The cafe is a huge benefit to local tourism and local residents and supports generation of tourism in general to the area. It is therefore not contrary to policies D1 and T2 of the MDC local plan and the NPPF (due to the long-standing buildings and access to the site) and supports the policies and objectives of our LDP Policies S7, E5,E1 and D3.

 

Prior to the Officer presentation the Chairperson advised the Committee that he was changing the order of the agenda to accommodate the interest of members of the public present, and would start with Item 6 on the agenda. It was noted that a Members’ Update had been circulated prior to the meeting that provided further information on planning policies together with additional representations including a large number of letters of support. Following the Officer’s presentation the Applicant, Mr Tallowin, addressed the Committee. The Chairperson then invited Councillors Lagan and Spenceley, both ‘in attendance’ Members, to address this item under the Council’s Procedure Rule 18 for Members.

 

Before opening the debate, the Chairperson commented that this was a well established camping site and the café was an ancillary use. He stressed the need to support the development and expansion of both rural and town businesses where there was adequate demand. Councillor Morgan then proposed that the application be approved, contrary to the Officer’s recommendation, and this was seconded by Councillor White on the basis that it complied with policies S1, S7, E4 and E5 of the Local Development Plan (LDP).

 

In response to issues raised Officers advised that to conclude the application was ancillary would require a more information on the part of the applicant. Further, whilst there were elements in both the LDP and National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to support the application there were other significant elements within the LDP that it did not comply with, therefore warranting a refusal. The upcoming review of the LDP was noted and it was suggested that Members use the opportunity to review any policies that they may be dissatisfied with. The Chairperson concurred with this suggestion adding that it was important polices aligned with requirements going forward.

 

There being no further discussion and following clarification from Councillor Morgan that his proposal to approve was without specific restrictions the Chairperson put the proposal to approve the application contrary to the Officer’s recommendation, with standard conditions delegated to Officers in consultation with the Chairperson, to the Committee. Upon a vote being taken it was agreed.

 

RESOLVED that the application be APPROVED with conditions delegated to Officers in consultation with the Chairperson.

Supporting documents: