New Forest District Council grants permission for barn at The Old Stores on Scats Lane in Sandleheath to be converted into holiday let

PLANS to convert a former agricultural barn into a holiday let have been given the green light by New Forest District Council.

Applicant Mr Rickman sought a change of use permission for the building at The Old Stores on Scats Lane in Sandleheath.

A meeting of the council’s planning committee heard officers recommended it for approval, with a report stating: “The proposed development makes use of an existing building that will support the tourism offer in the district, an important part of the local economy.

“The physical changes to the existing building are minor and will not harm the character and appearance of the building or site detrimentally, and the wider landscape setting will not change.

“Visiting vehicles will have an impact on the appearance of the site, however, such impacts are directly associated with the principle of the use.”

The plans were objected to by Cllr Janet Richards, who represents Downlands and Forest North, who said if approved, similar schemes may be encouraged nearby. She also raised concerns that the “minor economic benefits” would not outweigh the harm to rural character.

Nine letters of objection were also sent in from the public, with concerns over highway safety, noise and light pollution, and the impact on ecology.

Supporting the application was Cllr David Hawkins, who said: “This is one of those instances where we need to balance the use of a building that might otherwise fall into disrepair. It’s a difficult one but it seems to me that the wider use of that amenity space is best used as a temporary holiday home than not.”