Holiday complex plans set for approval

Plans to turn a farmyard into a holiday complex are expected to be approved.

Earley Accommodation wants to turn the yard area at School House Farm, Sheinton, Shrewsbury, into four glamping units and a log cabin, along with two buildings for office space and leisure activities.

The plans are recommended for approval by Shropshire Council’s planning department.

Andrew Sierakowski, planning officer, said: “This is an application that was submitted for the change of use of a farm yard and buildings to a holiday complex, including the siting of glamping units and an associated livery at School House Farm, Sheinton.

“However, in response to the initial comments from the parish council and third-party objectors, the livery element of the development has been withdrawn and a number of changes made to the layout, so that the application is only for the use and development of the site for glamping.

“The application includes the existing holiday let property, known as Applewood (formerly School House Farm), which currently provides a 14-bed space let and a substantial part of the adjacent farmyard to the immediate north of Applewood, which is currently disused and largely derelict.

“As a result, there is no use for the majority of the farm buildings and yard, and the application therefore seeks an alternative use, comprising the proposed change of use and development of the site, involving the retention of some of the farm buildings and the demolition of others.

“The intention is now to provide accommodation, to enable guests to stay at the site and explore the surrounding countryside which forms part of the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.”

“It is proposed that three rain water harvesters will provide water to the communal shower block, and for the office building.

“The remaining storm water will be collected before being discharged to Sheinton Brook.

“The development of the site will lead to a reduction in impermeable surfacing through the removal of existing buildings and hard-surfaced areas.”

However, Cressage, Harley & Sheinton Parish Council objects, saying: “On the application as initially submitted the parish commented that in principle it welcomed the proposed improvements to the site that would arise from the development.

“However, it also commented that it had concerns regarding lack of supervision, traffic, infrastructure, environmental impact and a concern that the site could become a normal livery (as opposed to holiday livery) and the traffic implications of this.

“Therefore, until these issues were addressed the parish council stated that it would not offer unconditional support for the proposal.”