The husband of Bath & North East Somerset Council’s leader is seeking approval to turn two agricultural buildings into a hotel at New Leaf Farm in Bathampton.
The farm in Mill Lane already has nine self-catering cottages and apartments.
Companies House shows that New Leaf Farm Limited is owned by Steven Horler and Kevin Guy, however the pair do not own the New Leaf Farm land.
The land itself is owned by Deep Air Limited, which in turn is owned by members of the Horler family.
Councillor Guy (Liberal Democrat, Bathavon) has been the council leader since 2021.
The application, lodged in Mr Horler’s name only, seeks prior approval from B&NES Council for the change of use of two farm buildings into as many as nine bedrooms in total, accommodating up to 18 guests. The change of use also includes “associated hotel facilities”.
The application says: “The site has the benefit of good access along a private driveway which serves the main agricultural holding.
“The farm access track then has a junction with Mill Lane. The junction with Mill Lane has excellent visibility in both directions.
“10 spaces will be provided on the existing hardstanding as indicated on the plan. Level access across a hard surface will be available from the parking spaces to the accommodation to meet the needs of customers.
“Guests’ vehicle movements would be staggered throughout the day as guests on holiday tend to leave and return later, thus avoiding the busy times in the morning and afternoon. Staff on site will stay the same – around three persons.
“The change of use compared to that of the existing use would bring negligible increase in traffic movements, especially as movements of farm traffic would be reduced.
“New Leaf Farm is well served by pedestrian and cycle routes being located within easy reach of a national cycle route and several recognised paths in both directions, east towards Batheaston and west towards the City of Bath.
“There are three bus companies operating within easy reach of New Leaf Farm, with regular and affordable routes running to and from the City of Bath as well as further afield.
“The recent extending of the e-scooter zone towards Bathampton and Batheaston adds a further viable transport option.”
Regarding any noise impacts, the application states: “The change of use to guest accommodation compares favourably to its current use as farm buildings. The associated noise impacting on neighbouring properties will be reduced.”
The application also says: “The majority of the site area is currently concrete with grass areas, small trees and shrubs. We are not aware of any previous operations on site which may have produced ground contamination. However, any unexpected contamination will be reported immediately to the local planning authority.”
The planning reference is 24/01313/PACOU and the deadline for comments is 15th May.
In 2021 we reported that the National Trust had acquired green space from Councillor Guy’s father-in-law Ken Horler and from B&NES Council to protect Bathampton Meadows from the threat of development.
It had once been the proposed site for a 1,400-space Park & Ride.
The charity bought some 15 hectares of land at New Leaf Farm for a reported £900,000. The council transferred its 25-hectare section to the National Trust for a peppercorn rate.
At the time, Councillor Guy made clear that he and his husband had no involvement in the sale or any pecuniary interest. New Leaf Farm Ltd is a separate entity.
Mr Horler has provided the following statement: “New Leaf Farm is owned by my father and neither Kevin or I own anything at New Leaf Farm.
“Neither of us own any property or a company that has ever traded. Kevin and I have busy jobs, rent a small flat and receive a normal wage like most people.
“The hotel conversion you mention in your article is something my father’s Farm already benefits from, and a planning application hasn’t been submitted.
“Instead, New Leaf Farm has merely notified the council that it is exercising its rights under the permitted development legislation (class R) for agricultural buildings to use for holiday accommodation.
“The original headline you ran the other day “Hotel plan for farm where council leader has holiday cottage business” was therefore incorrect and misleading.”
Note: The headline of this story was amended on 24th April from “Hotel plan for farm where council leader has holiday cottage business” to “Approval being sought for hotel at farm land on Bathampton Meadows”. Following clarification that Mr Guy is not involved in the holiday cottage business, we are happy to correct this error, and apologise for any confusion or distress this may have caused.