Decisions made by South planning committee on 7 February 2017

The following decisions were made by Shropshire Council’s North planning committee at its meeting at Shirehall, Shrewsbury on Tuesday 7 February 2017.

• Dun Cow Farm, Rocks Green, Ludlow. SY8 2DS (14/05573/OUT) Outline application for the erection of a new foodstore (Use Class A1), associated petrol filling station, and associated car parking to include access.

Decision: That, subject to consultation with the Secretary of State and the conditions set out in Appendix 1 of the report, the Area Planning Manager be granted delegated authority to GRANT planning permission.  Any subsequent application for reserved matters to be determined by this Committee.

• Proposed Holiday Chalets At Upper Marsh, Catherton. (16/02758/FUL) Change of use of land to accommodate 4 no. holiday chalets with associated access and parking; installation of package treatment plant.

Decision:

That, as per the officer’s recommendation, planning permission be refused for the following reasons: 

1. It is acknowledged that the proposed development would contribute to the rural economy and to the role of Shropshire as a tourist destination to stay. However, these benefits are considered to be outweighed by the following environmental harm. The principle of the proposed change of use of agricultural land and the erection of four holiday chalets in this remote and unsustainable rural area is contrary to both local and national policy planning policy which aims to locate this type of development adjacent to existing settlements or close to existing facilities. The introduction of significant new built form in to this very open location would detract from the visual amenity of the area and fails to respect the local distinctiveness of this part of Upper Marsh. The proposed log cabins and associated hard landscaping would appear as incongruous additions to the area and as such would result in a detrimental impact upon the character and appearance of the area.  Accordingly, the proposed development is contrary to Local Plan policies CS5, CS6, CS16 & CS17 of the adopted Core Strategy and policies MD2, MD11, MD12 of the SAMDev and national guidance contained within the NPPF, in particular paragraphs 7, 17, 28, 58 and 109.
2. The application site is adjacent to Catherton Common (SSSI and SWT Reserve) and within both a buffer zone and ‘corridor’ of the Shropshire Environmental Network. Therefore, the proposed scheme must clearly demonstrate how the development will promote the preservation, restoration and re-creation of priority habitats and ecological networks. It is not considered that the level of suggested ecological enhancement will balance the likely adverse drainage impacts on the SSSI associated with the development. Furthermore, no consideration has been given to the additional recreational pressure on the SSSI and the Shropshire Wildlife Trust Reserve which could occur as a result of the proposed new tourism enterprise. Accordingly, the proposed development is contrary to policies CS17 and CS18 of the adopted Core Strategy and policy MD12 of the SAMDev and national guidance contained within the NPPF and in particular paragraphs 109 and 118.

For further information relating to the decisions go to our online planning register and search for the application by using the reference number or keyword.