Winchester council rejects plans to demolish kennels

Richard and Pat Bacon applied to Winchester City Council for permission to demolish three kennel buildings in the grounds of their property in Sutton Wood Lane, with a replacement dwelling to be built in its place.

The couple resubmitted the application to the city council, after a previous application was refused last year.

Proposed visual of the house (Image: Winchester City Council)

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Winchester City Council planning committee rejected the application on Wednesday, June 12, at the recommendation of planning officers.

Speaking to the committee, Mr Bacon said: “We are here today to persuade you to approve our application to replace our derelict kennels with a net zero positive house.

“The kennels are derelict because they no longer meet the regulations for boarding dogs and upgrading and replacing them would be a cost the business would not carry. We think a new dwelling would be the most effective use of the land and not be out of keeping.

“This is currently a brownfield site, and a blot on the landscape. Here, I am thinking of the government’s drive to encourage new homes on brownfield sites. We are not taking away or diminishing the countryside in anyway, which is behind your policies. We are reforming a derelict brownfield site in such a way that we think is a benefit to the countryside.”

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Cllr Brian Laming said: “This is a very difficult decision. However, I think this is a good report – it outlines the planning positions, and I will be supporting the officers' recommendation.”

Cllr Suzanne White added: “It is brownfield site already, that has something there that is fairly ugly, but I cannot see any real material justifications that would justify a house in that area as it stands.”

The planning committee unanimously voted to reject the application.