Following the success in obtaining planning permission for the machinery building, NFP were instructed to assess and apply for permission for a winery on the vineyard.
With winery buildings considered agricultural, on the basis it meets the conditions of the development rules, an application was prepared for prior approval determination for a permitted development. As the permitted development rules making the process more streamlined, an initial application was submitted for scrutiny by the Local Planning Authority (LPA). Some feedback was given by the LPA and the application withdrawn to allow an update to the scheme to be more in line with the LPA preferences.
The second scheme, taking account of the feedback from the LPA was submitted, and whilst PD applications aren’t officially open to comments, there was a number of submissions from surrounding properties about the scheme. As the second application met the conditions, the LPA opted to request prior approval of certain details, including the impact on “heritage assets” on the local properties, and consideration of the location and any possible alternative.
After discussing with the client, NFP suggested we make a third application in an alternative position, to run concurrent to the second, which would take time to resolve over the heritage assets. The new location would be further from most of the neighbours, and therefore more acceptable to the LPA.
The revised application went through with little resistance, and the client is busy preparing for the build to start. Hadlow Down, East Sussex
