Planning officers reject Mold land change plan to protect open countryside

Flintshire County Council has refused planning permission for the change of use of agricultural land to domestic land in Mold.

An application sought to change the land to be included as a garden area to the dwelling on Upper Bryn Coch Lane.

However, the council’s planning officer has recommended the refusal of the application due to concerns about the potential impact on the open countryside and the area’s green wedge designation.

The application site is located outside of the settlement boundary of Mold and within a green wedge.

The surrounding area is open countryside with trees and hedgerows, and no other residential dwellings or buildings in the vicinity.

The proposal aimed to change the use of the land adjacent to Bryn Coach House from agricultural to domestic.

The land, measuring 2797 sqm, was purchased by the applicants in 2003 and was rented until its purchase in 2012.

Policy EN11 of the Flintshire Local Development Plan states that development within designated green wedges will only be permitted for specific uses, such as justified rural enterprise needs, essential facilities for outdoor sport and recreation, and other uses of land that maintain the openness of the green wedge.

The proposed change of use does not fall under any of the specified categories, the planning officers’ report states.

The report also highlights that the land has been used in connection with a children’s nursery, Buttercups, since at least 2009, and has structures visible on the land from that date.

While any harm to the open countryside would have begun back or before this date, the report notes that allowing the land to be used as a garden could open up the use to be used for any other purpose within the use class of a nursery without permission.

“This could then cause significant harm to the open countryside and green wedge location.”

“The change of use to domestic land cannot be granted whilst in connection with a business use, and as such will be recommended for a refusal.” Planning officer Stef Connah concluded.