Unique Rural Worker’s Temporary Dwelling on only 6 acres

Traditionally, new dwellings in the countryside are approved for farm or horticultural workers; it is not often new houses are approved to support a pet therapy business. This was exactly the situation which occurred when a client asked Bloomfields to take on a case to obtain permission for a new temporary dwelling, a livestock barn and new road access for a site in East Sussex. The site itself was a simple grassland paddock of only 6 acres. It was always going to be a challenge to demonstrate to the LPA the essential need for a rural worker, as opposed to a Farm Worker; but it was a challenge we wanted to take on.

The rural business was focussed on the breeding kittens, Guinea pigs, turkeys, rabbits, ponies, sheep, ferrets and a wealth of other animals, small and large, which then, when trained are taken into care homes for tactile interactive with pensioners.

In knowing this would be a case that might meet with LPA resistance, given its unique nature, a comprehensive Planning Statement was provided which essentially answered all possible queries the LPA may have, before they had the opportunity to ask them. Similarly, Bloomfields pushed for site meeting together with the case officer and the applicant so the bespoke nuances of the application could be fully explained and to clearly demonstrate why a rural site was necessary to support the business. As a result of this meeting and a following additional ‘Functional Support Statement’, the case officer was wholly convinced that it was indeed essential for the business owner to be on site 24/7 and the rural site was similarly necessary for the development of the business.

The application was approved by delated powers and the mobile home brought onto site, together with the businesses 150 animals, great and small, as soon as Bloomfields had discharged all the relevant planning conditions.

Needless to say, our client was delighted and has now made a beautiful home on the site, both for her as well as for her menagerie of animals.

If you have the need for a new dwelling in the countryside, based on a traditional or more unique enterprise, and would like to discuss your case, please contact Dan Page on 01892 831600 or email info@bloomfieldsltd.co.uk