West Border Farm, Wigton, CA7 4PT

1. 1.The proposed development constitutes non-essential new build residential/tourist accommodation within the open countryside that is not supported by a demonstrated locational need or constitutes the conversion of existing buildings. The proposal is considered to be contrary to paragraph 84 of the National Planning Policy Framework and Policies S1 and S3 of the Allerdale Local Plan (Part 1), Adopted July 2014 and Policy SA32 of the Allerdale Local Plan (Part 2), Adopted July 2020.
2. 2.The proposed development represents an unsustainable form of development due to the lack of pedestrian footways on an unlit and remote section of highway, and as a result will have a high reliance on car-borne journeys to access services and facilities. The proposal is considered to be contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework and Policies S1 and S2 of the Allerdale Local Plan (Part 1), Adopted July 2014.
3. 3.The proposed development, by virtue of its modern form, scale and layout of the site, with three detached buildings and their design which includes regimented openings and eaves not directly above first floor windows, does not reflect the rural characteristics of the locality and would form a visually obtrusive urban feature which neither responds positively to the character or distinctiveness of the area, resulting in a harmful impact on the character and appearance of the area including the Solway Coast National Landscape. The proposal is therefore contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework specifically paragraphs 135 and 139 and Policies S4, S33, S34 and DM14 of the Allerdale Local Plan (Part 1), Adopted July 2014
4. 4.The submitted Flood Risk Assessment demonstrates that the proposal with mitigation measures in place will be safe for the lifetime of the development. The application does not demonstrate that the first part of the exemption test has been passed with no wider sustainability benefits to the community been provided from the development. The sequential test has been limited to the applicant’s land as a farm diversification scheme with no evidence to support this or any other land they own. The application therefore fails to meet the requirements of a detailed sequential test in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework Chapter 14 Meeting the challenge of climate change, flooding and coastal change and the National Planning Policy Guidance.

From the council's decision notice.

Postcode

CA7 4PT

Application type

Full planning permission

Scale / size

Medium

Parish

Holme Abbey CP

Date validated

8 January 2026

Target decision date

15 May 2026

Application expires

29 May 2026

Statutory period

141 days

Planning Portal ID

PP-14566657

Documents

24