Prior approval is being sought to change the use of an agricultural building at New Leaf Farm at Bathampton into three houses.
The entrance to New Leaf Farm Holiday Cottages | Image © Google Street View / Google 2024
The application has been made by Steve Horler, husband of Kevin Guy, who is the leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council.
Mr Horler says that nine years ago, permitted development legislation was introduced to allow agricultural buildings to be converted to up to three houses and in May 2024 the government expanded this to allow 10 houses up to 1,000sq m without the need for a full planning application.
The three houses at the farm at Mill Lane would have a total floor area of 351sq m.
In May we reported that Mr Horler’s bid under permitted development legislation to change the use of two agricultural buildings into a hotel with up to nine bedrooms had been withdrawn.
At the time, the council’s planning officer said the smaller structure to the west would not benefit from permitted development rights. He advised Mr Horler to withdraw the application “with a view to reapplying for change of use of the eastern building in due course once it can be conclusively demonstrated it has been in agricultural use for 10 years”.
This latest application is to turn the eastern building into three houses. It states that the proposed change of use “compares favourably” to its current use as farm buildings.
Any change in the noise impacting on neighbouring properties will be “negligible”.
There is a large parking/turning area and a total of eight parking spaces are proposed for the new homes.
The site is said to have the benefit of good access and is well served by pedestrian and cycle routes and public transport; the recent extension of the e-scooter zone towards Bathampton and Batheaston adds a further viable transport option.
There are already nine self-catering cottages and apartments on the farm.
At the time of the first application, Mr Horler stated that New Leaf Farm is owned by his father and that neither he nor Councillor Guy own anything there.
The planning reference is 24/03673/ADCOU. The deadline for comments is 31st October.
Mr Horler has been invited to make a comment on the latest application, and this story will be updated if one is received.
