Hill Barn Orchard Evesham Road Church Lench Evesham WR11 4UB

1. 1.The application site lies outside of any defined development boundary and is therefore located within the open countryside, where development is strictly controlled by Policy SWDPR03 of the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review. The proposal has failed to demonstrate compliance with Policy SWDPR15 Part C. In particular, the site is not located within or adjacent to a town or Category 1, 2 or 3 village; insufficient evidence has been submitted to demonstrate that the work element relates to an existing, established and economically viable business that has been trading for at least three years; the residential and employment floor spaces fail to accord with the limitations as set out in SWDPR iv) and the proposal fails to satisfy the requirements of Annex D in relation to the submission of supporting evidence for an established and viable business. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies SWDPR03 and SWDPR15 (i), (ii), (iii), (ix) and (x) of the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review and the relevant aims and objectives of the National Planning Policy Framework.
2. 2.The proposal has failed to demonstrate that the development would minimise the need to travel by private car or provide genuine sustainable transport choices, having regard to its rural location, limited accessibility and the absence of sufficient information regarding the proposed business operation. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies SWDPR03 SWDPR06 of the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review and Paragraph 116 of the National Planning Policy Framework
3. 3.The proposed development, by virtue of its location, form and appearance, would represent a harmful intrusion to the countryside which would be discordant and incongruous in the context of the surrounding rural landscape character. This harmful impact would be exacerbated by the parking of vehicles, the creation of defined garden curtilages and domestic paraphernalia that would be associated with the development. Accordingly, and having regard to the impact of the development as well as the contribution the site makes to the surrounding countryside character, the development is contrary to the provisions of policies SWDPR03 SWDPR28 and SWDPR34 and the provisions of the NPPF including paragraphs 187 which state that the planning system should improve the character and quality of an area, whilst recognising the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside.
4. 4.Evidence has not been submitted to demonstrate the sustainable build credentials outlined in SWDPR 01 and so this proposal cannot be supported. This proposal is contrary to; SWDPR 01 Climate Change Mitigation & Adaption, SWDPR 03 The Spatial Development Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy, and SWDPR 12 Providing the Right Land and Buildings for Jobs

From the council's decision notice.

Postcode

WR11 4UB

Application type

Full planning permission

Scale / size

Small

Parish

South Lenches

Date validated

25 November 2025

Consultation expiry

27 December 2025

Consultation start

25 November 2025

Consultation end

27 December 2025

Agent address

105 High Street Evesham WR11 4EB

Advertisement expiry

27 December 2025

Documents

33