The temporary siting of a residential chalet for occupation during the refurbishment of an “uninhabitable” moorland farmhouse has been given backdated approval. It comes despite neighbours’ fears it could become a permanent holiday home.
Blackburn with Darwen Council has granted retrospective planning permission for the pre-fabricated structure at Ramwells Farm in Edge Lane, Turton. Applicant Mr J Williams can now keep the chalet but planners have told him it must be removed after two years rather than the three he applied for.
An officer’s report recommended approval with two conditions including a two-year time limit. It said the chalet is on a farmstead to the north of the village of Turton and within an allocated countryside area.
It added: “Those buildings include the farmhouse for Ramwells Farm, which is currently in a state of disrepair. This application seeks retrospective consent for the temporary siting of a residential chalet for occupation during the refurbishment of the farmhouse.
“A siting period of three years has been applied for. The chalet has a bathroom, utility room and a lounge area.
“It has been sited on an area of recently laid hardstanding and a small, decked area has been installed to the front. Public comments have been received objecting on the following grounds: the building erected is not a temporary ; aggregates have been tipped on the site previously; and the chalet could be used for holiday accommodation
“The chalet has been sited in order to allow for the refurbishment of the farmhouse at Ramwells Farm. A previous site visit has confirmed that the building is uninhabitable.
“Although the siting of the chalet does not directly involve the re-use of a disused building, the operation does indirectly facilitate such an outcome. A three-year temporary permission has been applied for which is excessive in relation to the refurbishment of a single dwelling.
“A condition has therefore been added to ensure the chalet is removed within two years. Concerns have been raised in public comments regarding the building erected is not a temporary building and the chalet could be used for holiday accommodation.
“The submission documents do not allude to using the building as holiday accommodation. A site visit confirmed the presence of an abundance of personal items within the chalet, which do not indicate such a use.
“Should a permanent holiday lodge be operated in the future, such operations would be unlawful, and they would be subject to further action.”
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