Agenda item

The planning application related to the erection of a rear extension to the garden centre building at Longacres Nursery, located north east of Bagshot within the Green Belt. The rear extension would provide an extension to the café and retail area within the main garden centre building. The proposal included the demolition of existing structures, including a poly tunnel used for retail display, and an existing café extension. This would lead to an overall reduction in built form in both volume and floor space.

The application would normally be determined under the Council’s Scheme of Delegation but is being reported to the Planning Applications Committee because the agent representing the applicant had been employed by the Council, as a planning officer, within the previous four years.

The Committee asked the case officer to clarify the very special circumstances that supported this extension onto Greenbelt land. Members highlighted how busy the business and subsequently the surrounding roads got, and while appreciated it was a good employer to local residents questioned the size the site had become, and the effect it had on local businesses in Bagshot.

The size of the proposed extension and which poly tunnel would be removed was confirmed. Condition 7, that the retail area provided within the garden centre for the sale of food and drink shall not exceed an area of 275 square metres unless prior written approval was obtained from the Council, was also highlighted.

The officer recommendation to Grant the application, subject to conditions was proposed by Councillor Kevin Thompson and seconded by Councillor Alan Ashbery, but was not supported.

The Head of Planning highlighted that officers had identified that this application would cause no harm to the Green Belt and there was no official evidence that the trade of other businesses in the local area would be affected.  

The Committee discussed what the poly tunnel was currently used for, that it was a temporary structure and was lawfully erected.

Members queried point 3.6 in the report which outlined the conditions imposed on a previous application (22/0667).

The Committee wanted clarification on the size of the whole site and the glasshouse building and queried if any hardstanding could be removed on specific areas.

Details of the overall floor space area of 5,043 square metres was discussed .

In response to questions raised by the Committee, the case officer clarified that reference to 15% of the total floor area in condition 6 excluded the floor area of the café.

Members questioned if the application could be deferred and it was considered it was not appropriate.

The meeting adjourned from 8:10pm until 8:17pm.

The officer recommendation to Grant the application, subject to conditions and an amendment to condition 4 was proposed by Councillor Kevin Thompson and seconded by Councillor Alan Ashbery and was carried.

Amendment to condition 4 to include:

It must be demonstrated within six months of occupation of the extension hereby approved, that those structures have been demolished and the land made good.

RESOLVED that planning application 23/1239/FFU be approved, subject to conditions and the amendment to condition 4.

NOTE 1

Voting For the officers recommendation to grant the application, subject to conditions:

Councillors Cliff Betton, David O’Mahoney, Kevin Thompson and Alan Ashbery.

Voting Against the officers recommendation to grant the application, subject to conditions:

Councillors Shaun Garrett, Murray Rowlands, Pat Tedder, Valerie White and Richard Wilson.

Abstain:

Councillors Ying Perrett and Liz Noble.

NOTE 2:

Voting For the officers recommendation to grant the application, subject to conditions, and an amendment to condition 4:

Councillors Alan Ashbery, Cliff Betton, Shaun Garrett, Liz Noble, David O’Mahoney, Ying Perrett, Murray Rowlands and Kevin Thompson.

Voting Against the officers recommendation to grant the application, subject to conditions, and an amendment to condition 4:

Councillors Pat Tedder, Valerie White and Richard Wilson.

Abstain: None.

NOTE 3:

Councillor Shaun Garrett declared a non-pecuniary interest that he visits Longacres Garden Centre.