Agenda item

There had been circulated copies of the request from Bayhill Farming Ltd., per Ferguson Planning, Shiel House, 54 Island Street, Galashiels, to review the decision to refuse the planning application in respect of proposed storage yard including siting of 7 no storage containers and change of use of land from agricultural land to storage yard north east of Greenbraehead Farmhouse, Hawick. Included in the supporting papers were the Notice of Review; Decision Notice; officer’s report; papers referred to in the report; consultations; and a list of relevant policies.  Members accepted that there was an economic need for the business and that it represented a diversification of an existing agricultural business. Although differing views were expressed they concluded that the rural location for this proposal may be more appropriate than a site within the settlement of Hawick.  Members’ ensuing discussion focused on the visual impact of the proposed development, how this could be mitigated and the suitability of the access to the site.  There was agreement that a temporary permission in the first instance would give an opportunity for the applicant to demonstrate that the business could be operated successfully from the site.

DECISION

AGREED that:-

(a)        the request for a review had been competently made in terms of Section 43A of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997;

(b)       the review could be considered without the need for any further procedure on the basis of the papers submitted;

(c)        the proposal would be in keeping with the Development Plan; and

(d)       the officer’s decision to refuse the application be reversed and planning permission be granted for a period of three years and subject to conditions, for the reasons detailed in Appendix II to this Minute.