Hartlebury Manor Stables

Warner Planning submitted a planning application to Wychavon District Council in Worcestershire to convert the existing disused barns on this former riding school situated within the Green Belt into three residential dwellings with associated outbuildings, parking and landscaping.

The principle of the scheme was supported by the Conservation Officer for achieving a beneficial long-term use for the buildings which will keep the historic assets in good condition for future generations.

While the site is defined as the open countryside, the Council considered that the new dwellings would not be isolated due to the existing dwellings near to the site.

To comply with policy, the site had been marketed with a commercial property agent for at least 12 months prior to the submission of the planning application with little interest, mostly due to the costs involved with bringing the buildings up to the standards required for a modern equestrian centre.

The Council couldn’t demonstrate a 5-year housing land supply, as such the presumption in favour of sustainable development was applied.

The proposal would utilise previously developed land, having been used as an equestrian centre and would not have a greater impact on the openness of the Green Belt than existing development. Therefore, it was concluded that the site can be regarded as grey belt land.

It was considered by the Case Officer that the public benefits from the proposals are positive and that they reflect sustainable development.

The application was approved subject to a S106 agreement and Warner Planning have since been appointed to submit applications for further phases of development on the site.

CGI’s for illustrative purposes only