Museum Orchard - Land East of Rhystone Lane Tidnor Lane Lugwardine Hereford Herefordshire HR1 4DF

1. 1.The proposal fails to demonstrate how the character of the landscape has positively influenced the nature of development, design and site selection, with insufficient justification provided to confidently demonstrate that alternative, less harmful locations have been robustly considered. The site clearly depicts a remote, elevated location in open countryside and by virtue of their very nature, siting and appearance, the introduction of further buildings hereabouts further increases the visual prominence of the site, altering the landscape character and visual amenity of the area from one that is primarily unspoilt to a harmful, discordant development that would have a detrimental adverse impact on the Lowland Farmlands landscape character type and the visual, perceptual and landscape qualities of the area. The scheme has furthermore failed to put forward a robust scheme of mitigation, instead reliant on transient orchards and woodland which cannot reasonably be depended upon for long-term screening, noting that much of these are in third-party ownership and deciduous vegetation. The proposal is contrary to Policies SS6, RA6 and LD1 of the Herefordshire Local Plan – Core Strategy, Policies BL11 and BL13 of the reviewed Bartestree with Lugwardine Neighbourhood Development Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework, with particular regards to Section 12 and 15.
2. 2.The proposed goat shed, by virtue of its design and appearance, would not make a positive contribution to the architectural diversity and character of the area over the lifetime of the development and is not representative of a well-designed place. The proposal is contrary to Policy SD1 of the Herefordshire Local Plan – Core Strategy, Policy BL13 of the reviewed Bartestree with Lugwardine Neighbourhood Development Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework, with particular regards to Section 12 which seeks to achieve well-designed places.
3. 3.The application site lies within the Lugg hydrological catchment of the River Wye Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The proposed development supports intensification of livestock held in the catchment and new/additional nutrient pathways would be created. The nature of the proposal triggers the requirement for a Habitat Regulations Assessment to be undertaken. Under the Habitat Regulations (The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, as amended by the Conservation of Habitats and Species (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019’), there is a requirement to establish with legal certainty, and beyond all reasonable scientific doubt, that there will not be any adverse effect on the integrity of the River Wye SAC including not undermining the achievement of water quality targets for rivers within the county. In the absence of sufficient supporting information which demonstrates to the confidence and satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority that natural and non-natural wastes generated by the proposed development will be appropriately managed on and off-site including, but not limited to, adequate foul and surface water drainage arrangements and a waste management method statement, the proposal is contrary to the Herefordshire Local Plan – Core Strategy policies SS6, LD2, SD3 and SD4, Policy BL12 of the reviewed Bartestree with Lugwardine Neighbourhood Development Plan, Policy W3 of the Herefordshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan, the National Planning Policy Framework, which particular regard to Section 15 and Paragraph 195 and The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, as amended by the Conservation of Habitats and Species (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019’.
4. 4.The application site comprises a Traditional Orchard, a Habitat of Principal Importance. In the absence of sufficient details, Local Planning Authority is not satisfied that there would be no potential adverse effects upon this Habitat of Principal Importance and without adequate compensation in place, the proposal is contrary to The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, as amended by the Conservation of Habitats and Species (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019’, the National Planning Policy Framework, and Herefordshire Local Plan – Core Strategy Policies SS6, LD1, LD2 and LD3.
5. 5.In the absence of a heritage statement, which require an applicant to describe the significance of any heritage assets affected by the proposed development, including any contribution made by their setting, the proposal is contrary to Paragraph 207 of the National Planning Policy Framework, Policy LD4 of the Herefordshire Local Plan – Core Strategy and Policy BL9 of the reviewed Bartestree with Lugwardine Neighbourhood Development Plan.
6. 6.The proposal would adversely harm the significance and experience of Longworth Unregistered Park & Garden hereabouts, a non-designated heritage asset, contrary to Policies SS6, LD1 and LD4 of the CS is identified, Policy BL9 of the reviewed Bartestree with Lugwardine Neighbourhood Development Plan and Paragraph 216 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

From the council's decision notice.

Postcode

HR1 4DF

Application type

Planning Permission

Applicant

Private applicant