Local Authority
New ForestServices
Appeals, Applications
Bell Cornwell is pleased to have secured another successful planning permission, with the Planning Inspectorate allowing an appeal for the continued use of part of a stable building as a Pilates studio and beauty treatment room at Oak House, Everton, Hampshire.
The decision overturned the refusal by the New Forest National Park Authority and involved approximately 30sqm of commercial floorspace within an existing building, with no external alterations.
Appeal Success for Pilates Studio and Beauty Room in the New Forest
The Main Issues
The appeal centred on whether the proposal would harm the character of the New Forest National Park and whether a small commercial use was appropriate in an open countryside location.
The Authority argued that introducing commercial activity could erode the rural character of the area and conflicted with the Local Plan’s spatial strategy.
The Inspector’s Findings
The Inspector agreed with our case that the proposal was sufficiently modest to avoid any harmful impact on the surrounding landscape. Key factors included:
The Inspector also agreed that suitable planning conditions would ensure the use remained low intensity and would protect the character and tranquillity of the National Park.
Weight to be Attached to Policy SP48
An important aspect of the appeal was the Authority’s reliance on Policy SP48, which supports the land-based economy, most notably agriculture, forestry, commoning and other traditional rural businesses.
Bell Cornwell successfully argued that the policy was not relevant because neither the former stable use nor the proposed Pilates studio and beauty room had any functional connection to agriculture or other land-based industries. The Inspector agreed, confirming there was no conflict with this policy.
A Successful Outcome
Although the Inspector found some limited conflict with the Local Plan’s spatial strategy, this was outweighed by the benefits of supporting a small rural business operating from an existing building.
The appeal demonstrates that carefully managed, small-scale commercial uses can be appropriate in sensitive rural locations where they preserve landscape character, generate limited activity and contribute to the local economy without causing environmental harm.
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