East Garston Parish Council warns of 'stealth planning'

A PARISH council has opposed the creation of a storage building, expressing fears of "stealth planning".

The application was for a change of use of the land to a countryside business at The Sheiling in School Lane, East Garston.

In a formal objection, East Garston Parish Council wrote to planners stating: "This was a unanimous decision based on the following: The proposal seeks the erection of an ancillary storage building but there is no information as to... what exactly is being stored.

"Councillors are unsure as to what type of business this is as so much information on the application is redacted.

"It would also appear that the company has recently been dissolved.

"The overall visual impact is not in keeping within an AONB [Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty] and the proposed replacement building appears to be twice as high as the existing barn."

They concluded: "The parish council is concerned about stealth planning due to two applications to build a house on this site already being refused."

Planners received four letters supporting the application and three objections from residents.

Supporters applauded a local business start-up and "good use of land".

Objectors warned of the "urbanisation" of the local landscape and one branded it "totally unacceptable".

The application is described as partially retrospective.

But another resident claimed: "The only part of this application that is not retrospective is the demolition and erection of a new enlarged storage 'barn' (or whatever its future use will be).

"The applicant was well aware that full planning permission was required before starting operational development.

"This shows a total disrespect of the planning system."

A planning officer's report stated: "Overall, the impacts from the development on the character and appearance of the area and the North Wessex Downs AONB, the surface water and ground water floor risk and the impacts and the River Lambourn Special Area of Conservation (SAC) outweigh the support of the rural business."

The application was refused.