Tuesley Farm Godalming loses appeal over Polytunnels (South West Surrey Liberal Democrats)

South West Surrey Liberal Democrats <info@swsurreylibdems.org.uk>

Tuesley Farm Godalming loses appeal over Polytunnels

December 18, 2005 2:30 PM

Local Lib Dems were delighted that the scale of development at Tuesley was found to be contrary to Green Belt Policies.

Lib Dem run Waverley took enforcement action against the farm when polytunnels and caravan sites began to sprawl over the farm. The case was heard over 9 months, and the Government Inspector's decision announced this week concluded that Tuesley Farm should remove its polytunnels and caravans, and dismantle their associated infrastructures, within the next 12 months.

Whilst polytunnels are usually considered permitted agricultural development, the Inspector concluded the scale of the polytunnels at Tuesley to be substantial and more permanent and not "temporarily required for farming operations" and therefore requiring planning permission. Similarly the occupation of caravans by farm workers for ten months at a time was judged to require a Caravan Site Licence, and therefore not permitted development.

The inspector said "The extensive blocks of polytunnels would not meet the high standards of design and appearance that Waverley's policies seek of buildings in the countryside. The proposed development, together with the landscaping master plan, would be out of place in terms of their scale, height, form and appearance, failing to protect the openness and intrinsic qualities of the countryside"

Godalming Lib Dem Cllr Patrick Haveron, Portfolio holder for Planning said: "This result confirms the importance that we attach to the Green Belt in Waverley, and that we are committed to safeguarding it for future generations."

"Waverley chose to enforce against carte blanche development in an Area of Great Landscape Value adjacent to the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The inspector agreed that the scale of development at Tuesley had a significant and long standing impact on both.

"Waverley and its residents are not anti-farming, but committed to supporting the rural economy, tourism and the preservation of our countryside. Indeed the enquiry heard from the Chairman of British Summer Fruits that the removal of Polytunnels at Tuesley would not significantly impact on the UK's strawberry production. The inspector judged the harm to the countryside to far outweigh the agricultural needs"

The inspector also judged the proposed landscaping to mitigate the impact of the farming to be unsuitable for character of the area, and a loss of amenity for nearby residents.

The Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) have also supported Waverley in taking this enforcement action, saying about how brave Waverley was to include Polytunnels in the enforcement action, often ignored by other authorities.