The Geldings Bouts Lane Holberrow Green Inkberrow Redditch B96 6JX

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 would not be contained within a single cohesive building; insufficient information has been submitted to demonstrate that the proposed work element would not involve uses or activities excluded by the policy; 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.Insufficient information has been submitted in relation to the access width, visibility splays, and the internal dimensions of the proposed parking spaces to demonstrate that the development would provide a safe and suitable means of access to the site, or that it would avoid unacceptable impacts on highway safety. Furthermore, 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 Policy SWDPR06 of the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review and Paragraph 116 of the National Planning Policy Framework.
3. 3.The submitted ecological information, including the biodiversity metric, demonstrates that the proposal would result in a net loss of biodiversity units and would not achieve the statutory minimum 10% Biodiversity Net Gain. Whilst the submitted Preliminary Ecological Appraisal indicates that off- site biodiversity units may be required, insufficient information has been provided to demonstrate how any such off-site provision would be secured, managed or monitored for the required period such as through a Conservation Covenant or Section 106 Legal Agreement. The proposal therefore fails to demonstrate an acceptable biodiversity outcome and is contrary to Policies SWDPR29 and SWDPR30 of the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review and the relevant aims and objectives of the National Planning Policy Framework.
4. 4.Insufficient information has been submitted to demonstrate that surface water arising from the development can be managed in a sustainable and coordinated manner. In particular, the proposals lack sufficient detail in respect of a formal surface water drainage strategy, such as a soakaway or other suitable means of sustainable drainage, to address additional surface water displacement arising from the development. The proposal therefore fails to demonstrate that an appropriate and sustainable drainage strategy can be achieved and is contrary to Policies SWDPR38 and SWDPR39 of the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review and the relevant aims and objectives of the National Planning Policy Framework.

From the council's decision notice.

Postcode

B96 6JX

Application type

Full planning permission

Scale / size

Small

Parish

Inkberrow

Date validated

25 February 2026

Consultation expiry

10 April 2026

Consultation start

25 February 2026

Consultation end

10 April 2026

Agent address

Hunters Moon Gorse Green Lane, Belbroughton Belbroughton Stourbridge Worcestershire DY9 9UH

Documents

26