Land and existing building east of Hazeldene Fold, Main Street, MINSKIP, North Yorkshire, YO51 9PH

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the proposed development would constitute an acceptable form of new employment development in the countryside, when assessed against the criteria set out in Policy EC3 of the Harrogate District Plan 2020
• The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
• The effect of the proposal on the living conditions of the occupiers of nearby dwellings, with reference to noise and disturbance
• The effect of the proposal on the safe use of the public highway
• Whether the building is of permanent and substantial construction, structurally sound and capable of conversion without the need for substantial extension, alteration or reconstruction
• Whether sufficient information has been provided with regard to the groundworks that have already taken place and for which planning permission is sought retrospectively

What decided it

The significant adverse effect on the character and appearance of the area caused by the visual encroachment of the car parking area into the countryside, combined with the failure to demonstrate that the building is structurally sound, meant the proposal did not accord with Policy EC3 and the development plan as a whole.