Knoll Farm’s proposed barn construction in Peasedown St John has secured a victory following a planning appeal against Bath & North East Somerset Council. The council initially rejected the farm’s application to build two barns over three metres tall, citing their proximity to an airstrip as the key issue. However, on Thursday, May 7, an appeal inspector overturned this decision and ruled that the council must pay the farm’s full appeal costs.
Chris Watt of Somer Valley Farms submitted the appeal after the council deemed the White Ox Mead airstrip to be an aerodrome, which under planning guidelines restricts any building above three metres within three kilometres of its perimeter. The disagreement hinged on whether the airstrip met the official definition of an aerodrome.
The inspector, O Marigold, clarified that while the airstrip fits some definitions of an aerodrome, the planning guidelines require the aerodrome to facilitate public transport of passengers or cargo, or conduct aerial work. As it was established that passengers at White Ox Mead do not pay for flights and there was no evidence of aerial work, the airstrip did not meet the criteria.
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Consequently, the appeal was granted, allowing Knoll Farm to proceed with the barn construction. The inspector criticized the council’s handling of the case, stating: “The council has behaved unreasonably, causing unnecessary expense to the applicant by forcing an appeal. A full award of costs is justified.”
The report also noted that the council failed to adequately consider the farm’s application during the initial stages: “Had the council properly engaged with the applicant’s case, prior approval should have been granted, preventing unwarranted delays.”
The exact amount the council must pay has not been disclosed. Knoll Farm has been contacted for comment.