PROPOSALS to turn a Fangfoss shop and office into housing and a workshop have been backed by East Riding councillors against planning officers' recommendations.
The amended scheme at the Rocking Horse Shop on Main Street was approved by the authority’s planning committee.
Planning officers had recommended that the scheme, submitted by applicant Anthony Dew, to convert the existing building into two reside
ntial units and a workshop be refused.
They had argued that the application had not demonstrated a need for new housing and that the accommodation provided would be of an ‘unacceptably poor standard’.
But Mr Dew told the committee the restrictions were unnecessary and said that officials were putting his business at risk.
He said: “I have lived and worked in Fangfoss for 18 years and have provided employment for local people.
“Officers don’t see that my small rural enterprise is a real life example of diversity and they’re killing it.”
Ward councillor David Rudd, who spoke on Mr Dew’s behalf, said that approving the plans would enhance the sustainability of the business, as well as offering affordable housing, which was most likely to be taken up by local people.
Committee member Geraldine Mathieson proposed that the scheme be approved, telling the meeting that she could not see any problem with the plans.
Coun John Bird reminded the meeting that precedent had been set in other parts of the country for similar applications to be passed.
He said: “This is one of those applications that ticks all the right boxes.
“Rural enterprises like this should be supported and not hindered by rules and regulations.
“If Coun Mathieson has proposed that we approve it, then I am delighted to second it.”
The full article contains 291 words and appears in Pocklington Post newspaper.
