A PROPOSAL regarding changing a field’s use from agriculture to residential will be discussed by Test Valley planners.
Julien Sclater has applied to Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) to change the use of land at John of Gaunt Farm, Horsebridge, so an extension can be made to an already existing house.
The house, known as The Cowstall, was constructed in 2015 with a total floor area of 105m2. Mr Sclater has applied to have 402m2 of land immediately to the west of The Cowstall changed from agricultural to residential use for an extension.
According to the design and access statement submitted to the council, the land surrounding The Cowstall “was designed for agricultural purposes that are now redundant. The large hardstanding area to the north of the converted residential dwelling was designed for agricultural machinery/storage/cattle. There is no agricultural requirement for the land that surrounds the converted residential dwelling.”
TVBC planning officers have recommended that the plans be delegated to the head of planning and building for a consultation response from a Hampshire County Council archaeologist, with permission subject to the construction work beginning within three years of the plans being approved.
The application has been objected to by King’s Somborne Parish Council, which said: “(The application) is trying to get permission in the future for development and the intention of class Q was simply to reuse redundant buildings not to build further in the countryside. The fact class Q was granted is not a justifiable reason to change the designation now as the curtilage would have been defined at the stage previous permission was granted. It is development by increments against local plan policy.”
The parish council also said that “No justifiable reason for the change has been demonstrated” by the applicant.
Historic England said that it did not wish to comment in detail on the application, instead noting that the development site is close to a scheduled monument known as John of Gaunt's Deer Park Pale.
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Martin Grange, whose address was not provided in his written objection, raised concerns: “The area in question is already grass and the residents of the Cowshed (old dairy) already use the space for relaxation and entertaining. The only reason to change the use of this land would be to extend the cowshed and that has significant consequences that should be considered carefully.”
Martin Gillard also raised concerns, saying: “There is also a practical impact of an increase in potential occupancy if the property was extended, as this would see an increase in the traffic on the farm track, across the historic monument and also the public footpath.”
The application will be discussed at the TVBC Southern Area Planning meeting on Tuesday, November 5. More information about the plans can be found by visiting the TVBC online planning portal and searching using reference 24/01844/FULLS.
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