Chiropractic Centre Appeal Victory Over Grade II Burchatt’s Farm Barn

Published on: 19 Dec, 2019
Updated on: 22 Dec, 2019

Burchatts Barn – Photo Mandy Millyard

By Martin Giles

A controversial planning refusal for historic Burchatt’s Farm Barn on Stoke Park has been overturned on appeal.

The Guildford Chiropractic Centre challenged a Guildford Borough Council decision to refuse a change of use for the barn, necessary for the Centre to set up a chiropractic practice in the Grade II-listed building.

The application had been supported by 43 local residents but opposed by 84, many of whom felt the application from the Guildford Shakespeare Company to use the building should have been preferred, although its bid would have meant a lower return for the council.

The main issues identified by the planning inspector, Ms R Barrett, were, “the effect of the appeal proposals on the provision of valued social, recreational and cultural facilities and services and whether they would preserve the special architectural or historic interest of Burchatt’s Farm Barn, a Grade II-listed building and designated heritage asset”.

That the proposal would result in the loss of a meeting venue was undisputed, he said, but the proposed use, as a chiropractic clinic would fall into the same category.

Of concerns over the loss of a community meeting venue, the inspector said he had seen “limited substantive evidence of such a need” and the proposed use would include an area suitable for lectures and training, which would be open to the public.

Dismissing the claim that it would result in the loss of a polling station he said: “Other venues are available, and it is confirmed that the appeal property could still be used for polling if required.”

Significantly, the inspector said he had considered the appeal proposal against policy E6 of the Local Plan. But as that relates to the leisure and visitor experience the “policy is not directly relevant to these appeals”.

Former councillor Nils Christiansen

Former borough councillor Nils Christiansen, who spoke against the application when it was before the Planning Committee in March, said: “This whole sorry saga was caused entirely by the last GBC administration. Once the scale of local opposition became clear the very same people who had just, without consultation, granted the lease, voted against the associated planning application.

“Perhaps one of the key concerns is that this decision is made on the basis of the newly adopted Local Plan.

“Unfortunately, our new Local Plan is all about finding development sites and offers remarkably little in the way of building and protecting sustainable communities. Unless the new administration is able to find a way of mitigating some of the biggest flaws in the Plan, this decision may be a small foretaste of what is in store for Guildford.”

But a statement on behalf of the Guildford Chiropractic Centre said: “The appellants are delighted with the outcome, which allows them to establish a new base for their business.  It accepts that the proposal will establish a long-term economic future for the building and confirms the opinion reached by the council’s planning officers.

“The appellants’ only disappointment is that the unnecessary interference by Alderman Bridger, Cllr Redpath and the Guildford Shakespeare Company supporters has wasted six months and cost the council and appellants an estimated £20,000.” It is understood a decision on an award of costs is awaited.

Philip Hehir and co-owner Annie Colman

Clinic director Philip Hehir said: “Co-owner Annie Colman and I are extremely pleased to hear the planning inspector’s decision to uphold our appeal.

“Out of a dozen or so applicants, Guildford Chiropractic Centre was the successful business chosen by Guildford Borough Council and recognised as having value to the community and as a safe, sound fit for Burchatt’s Farm Barn and its future preservation.

“With the New Inn Surgery recently disbanded from our present premises, this news has come in good time. We are so grateful for the opportunity that our small locally run business will be able to really create something amazing at Burchatt’s Farm Barn that will benefit the entire community.

“We will now be able to provide so much more than we are able tonow,  a ground-floor-accessible clinic, a wider range of much-needed healthcare services, and a space for education, wellness events and classes.

“We have been truly humbled by how many individuals have shown our team so much support over the past six months. A million thanks to you all for believing in us and our contribution to this town.”

Cllr John Redpath

But a statement from Cllr John Redpath (R4GV, Holy Trinity) cast some doubt on whether the issue was regarded as completely settled. He said: “Obviously, the many people who supported retaining the Barn for public use will be disappointed at this decision.

“The idea of leasing the Barn to a private business was made under the old administration as was the planning decision.

“We now have a new administration and, as such, need to review the council’s position about the future of the Barn. The inspector’s decision was just that and, now we have all the undetermined information in place, we need to look to the best future for this important community-use building.

“Once we have done this review I am sure the council will be back in touch with a more definitive statement.”

See also: Burchatt’s Barn Chiropractic Planning Appeal Claims ‘Abuse Of Power’

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