LADYBIRD FARM (previously CAE MALWEN), ROCKBOURNE SP6 3NA

1. 1.The proposed development, involving the erection of a new dwelling in the open countryside, lies outside of any defined settlement boundary and is not supported by any exceptional policy justification. The proposal fails to demonstrate that the dwelling is essential to meet the needs of a rural worker or that it meets any of the other exceptions set out in national or local policy. It therefore constitutes unsustainable development and is contrary to the overarching aims of the NPPF and the adopted Local Plan policies which seek to protect the countryside and designated landscapes from inappropriate development. The site is located within the Cranbourne Chase National Landscape, a nationally designated landscape where great weight must be given to conserving and enhancing its natural beauty, in accordance with paragraph 189 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The introduction of a dwelling in this location would result in an urbanising and visually intrusive form of development that would erode the rural character and scenic quality of the landscape, contrary to Policies ENV3 and ENV4. As such, it represents an unjustified form of residential development in the countryside, contrary to New Forest District Local Plan 2016–2036 Part 1: Planning Strategy Policies STR1 (Sustainable Development Strategy), STR2 (Protection of the countryside, Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the adjoining New Forest National Park), STR3 (The strategy for locating new development), HOU5 (Rural housing exception sites and community-led housing schemes), ENV3 (Design Quality and Local Distinctiveness) and ENV4 (Landscape Character) and Policy DM20 (Housing in the Countryside) and NPPF (December 2024) paragraphs 84 criterion (c) and 189.
2. 2.The recreational impacts (Habitat Mitigation and Air Quality) of the proposed development on the New Forest Special Area of Conservation, the New Forest Special Protection Area and the New Forest Ramsar site would not in the absence of a signed planning obligation be adequately mitigated and the proposed development would therefore be likely to unacceptably increase recreational pressures on these sensitive European nature conservation sites, contrary to Policy ENV1 of the Local Plan 2016-2036 Part One: Planning Strategy and the Council’s Supplementary Planning Document “Mitigation for Recreational Impacts on New Forest European Sites”.

From the council's decision notice.

Postcode

SP6 3NA

Application type

Full Planning Permission

Scale / size

Small

Parish

Rockbourne

Date validated

11 June 2025

Consultation expiry

18 July 2025

Consultation start

13 June 2025

Consultation end

18 July 2025

Agent

Pell-Stevens Architects

Agent address

Stable Studios, Godshill Wood Farm, Woodgreen Road, Godshill, Fordingbridge, SP6 2LP

Planning Portal ID

PP-14060565

Documents

57