Plans lodged to demolish equine buildings in Staffordshire to build seven new homes
Plans have been submitted to demolish several equine buildings in Staffordshire to build seven new homes.
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If approved it would see the five barns at Oak Farm, in Little Hay, near Lichfield, replaced with new homes in existing greenbelt land.
The farm already has permission to convert the existing barns into residential use. Planning officers have stated in a preapplication meeting, before changes to national planning policy, that the existing permission does offer a fallback position.
The applicants have argued that the site despite being in greenbelt constitutes greybelt. Recent changes in national planning policy have introduced the concept of greybelt and would allow for development.
According to national planning policy greenbelt land can be classed as greybelt if greenbelt land has already been built on, or it fails to uphold three tests in the greenbelt. These are to check the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas; to prevent neighbouring towns merging into one another; and to preserve the setting and special character of historic towns.
In their submitted planning statement the applicant argues: “The site is previously developed land, and the proposal is not considered to cause substantial harm to the openness of the Green Belt. It is therefore considered to represent appropriate development within the Green Belt irrespective of a grey belt argument.”
The development would be taken from two existing access points which would remain largely unchanged. It is also proposed that a minimum 10 per cent biodiversity net gain could be achieved with improvements to land adjacent to the application site.
The design and access statement states: “The design aims to create the appearance of a farmstead that has evolved organically over time, featuring a mix of traditionally inspired brick barns alongside contemporary structures to reflect the way agricultural sites naturally develop through different periods.
“The form of the proposed dwellings vary, with a mix of single, 1.5-storey, and two-storey elements to reflect the way farm buildings naturally evolved over time, often having extensions, alterations, and changes in use. This variety of building heights, forms and roofscape help to make the development seem more organic and give it a familiar character.
“The proposals seek to create a well-considered development that respects the agricultural character of the site while providing high-quality new homes. By carefully balancing scale, massing, layout, and materials, the design ensures that the new dwellings integrate naturally into their surroundings, reinforcing the farmstead aesthetic.”
Planning officers at Lichfield District Council are set to rule on the application in the coming months.
