A LANDOWNER could be facing enforcement action if they refuse to remove storage containers they are keeping on site.
Parley Court Farm has been using its surplus land to house some 40 storage containers which they do not have planning permission for.
The Dorset farm had been renting the storage space out to small businesses when the council flagged the use could be “unauthorised”.
Dampneys Limited then submitted a retrospective planning application in June of last year to settle the matter on behalf of the farm.
In a planning statement, the company said the storage was beneficial to small businesses that “otherwise would not be able to afford purpose-built premises on conventional business parks”.
However, the application was refused by BCP Council.
The decision notice, issued on April 17, described the proposed use of the land as “unacceptable”, noting its location within the Green Belt.
It said: “The proposed use of the land constitutes inappropriate development which is harmful to the green belt by definition, and which fails to preserve the openness of the green belt and represents encroachment into the countryside contrary to the purposes of the green belt.
“The circumstances advanced by the applicant are not considered to represent the very special circumstances needed to outweigh the harm by reason of inappropriateness and other identified harm to the openness of the green belt, and the proposal is therefore considered to be unacceptable in principle.”
The storage containers, which are located within the boundaries of Parley Court Farm, are still currently on site.
BCP Council said it will begin discussions into their removal following the application refusal.
Read more: Southbourne Crossroads car park flats approved on appeal
A spokesperson for the local authority said: “The retrospective planning application for the siting of storage containers at Parley Court Farm was submitted following a breach of planning control being investigated by the local planning authority.
“Following refusal of the application, the planning enforcement team will be entering into discussions with the landowner/occupier to seek the removal of the containers, and if necessary, consider enforcement action.”
“Applicants can appeal planning decisions should they choose to do so.”
The Daily Echo has approached Parley Court Farm and Dampneys Limited for a comment.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel