Planning Success – Rural Commercial Enterprise

Another successful retail scheme for our Helen Heward, we’ve started to call her the retail Queen! This time she has helped secure change of use to retail for a Rural Commercial Enterprise.

Our client originally applied for an extension to their equestrian shop Discount Equestrian however it was noted by the Council that the existing use did not have planning permission, however it had been operational for several years.   The site is located in the open countryside providing specialist retail which is appropriate in the rural area.

The use of the premises consisted of the ground floor use of a large building on site as the main ‘equestrian shop’, with the adjacent building used as ancillary workshop/storage space, kitchen, toilet and office facilities at ground and first floor.  The application sought to regularise the use of the buildings and extend the existing warehouse facility to accommodate additional storage and office space with associated parking.

Normally, applications regarding change of use to retail which were located outside of a designated retail centre should be accompanied by a sequential test.  Helen put a case forward that in this instance due to the rural nature of the business, it was appropriately located in the rural area and therefore a sequential test will not be required.

We are delighted to have secured planning consent for our clients in the most efficient and effective way possible.

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