Agricultural Prior Approval for New Vineyard – Chertsey, Surrey
Prior Approval secured for agricultural development supporting a new vineyard and English wine venture within the Surrey Green Belt
New Vineyard and Winery - St Ann's Hill Farm, Chertsey
Plans have been approved by Runnymede Borough Council under the agricultural Prior Approval process for our client's exciting new vineyard and winemaking venture on their beautiful estate near Chertsey, Surrey.
Our clients approached Fytche-Taylor Planning for specialist advice on the planning requirements for establishing a commercial vineyard and developing the estate for viticulture and English wine production.
Working closely with our clients to understand their long-term plans, our Chartered Town Planners first undertook a detailed planning and development appraisal. An important part of our advice was establishing the status of viticulture as agriculture under Section 336 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and considering how the proposed vineyard development could proceed within the site's Green Belt setting.
Our assessment considered the site's planning history, Green Belt designation, environmental constraints and the requirements applying to agricultural development. We then prepared a detailed feasibility study to establish the site's development potential and devise a robust planning strategy.
Having identified the appropriate route forward, we presented our recommendations, next steps and anticipated costs to our clients before preparing and submitting the Agricultural Prior Approval application to Runnymede Borough Council.
Our planning case demonstrated the agricultural purpose and justification for the proposed development and its relationship with the new vineyard. Following liaison with the Council, Prior Approval was successfully secured, allowing our clients to progress their plans for the estate and continue developing their new English wine venture.
The project is a great example of how specialist agricultural planning advice can help unlock opportunities for rural diversification, vineyard development and viticulture, even on land subject to Green Belt planning controls.
Work can now progress on site – and we look forward to seeing the vineyard mature and, eventually, sampling some of the first bottles of English wine produced on the estate!
Our planning consultancy services included:
Detailed site and planning appraisal, including environmental searches and review of relevant planning constraints
Green Belt assessment and advice on agricultural development within the Green Belt
Specialist planning advice on viticulture, vineyard development and agricultural use
Feasibility assessment and development of the planning strategy
Advice on Agricultural Prior Approval and permitted development rights
Preparation and submission of the Agricultural Prior Approval application, including justification of the agricultural need for the proposed development
Liaison with Runnymede Borough Council through to the successful Prior Approval decision
