Decision made on future of yoga retreat in West Lancashire green belt countryside hailed as a 'sanctuary'

West Lancashire Borough Council (WLBC) has thrown out the application for approximately 0.85 hectares (2.1 acres)of land to the rear of 3 Broad Lane, Downholland, Ormskirk, submitted by Darren Harvey.

Mr Harvey was seeking retrospective approval for:

- A building with enclosed yard area that accommodates three yoga studios

- A w/c and shower room and control room.

- Use of outdoor space for yoga instruction.

- Hardstanding for parking

- Creation of wildflower meadow, pond and orchard.

- Keeping of bees

- Open sided shelter

A planning statement says that the owners carried out these works believing they do not require planning permission as they would qualify for permitted development.

Support

No objections to the scheme were received by WLBC, but several letters of support have been submitted by a local beekeeper and several users, including The Wild Warrior Women community group, Natasha Mclaughlin of Divine Health & Wellness, Nick Emery Breath Work Coach and The Guru Guide. A repeated phrase used by for the space is ‘santuary’, with one user saying it’s ‘tranquil’ surroundings “significantly contribute to the overall health and well-being of my clients and local residents.”

The Wild Warrior Women community group said they ‘facilitated a lot of transformational self development programmes in this space in which supports women's overall mental, emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing’. They added that many women they work with have suffered domestic and emotional violence, and the location supports them keep their identity confidential.

Mr Harvey argued that the development was not inappropriate in the Green Belt, as it offered recreational use, and said the yoga studio was an essential facility by way of changing facilities, equipment storage, first aid tretament, basic refreshment, and an alternative location for classes in the event of adverse weather conditions.

The building comprising 670 square feet sits on a total site area of 2.08 acres, which Mr Harvey said was “a very small scale facility having minimal impact on the openness of the Green Belt”, adding that the entire site is almost totally screened from the outside by existing hedgerows.

Reasons for refusal

But council planning bosses have decided that the development is inappropriate, and have refused the application on tbe following grounds:

- The proposed development constitutes inappropriate development in the Green Belt that would have an adverse impact on the openness of the Green Belt. No very special circumstances have been identified which would outweigh the harm caused.

- The proposed development of a new community facility would be located within a less sustainable rural location where access to the site by public transport is significantly limited. The proposal fails to demonstrate that there are no other more suitable locations for the development to be sited.

- The proposed development is located on grade 2 agricultural land and would result in the unjustified loss of such land. On that basis the proposal is contrary to Policy EC2 of the West Lancashire Local Plan.

- The proposed development is contrary to Policy GN3 of the West Lancashire Local Plan (2012-2027) Development Plan Document, in that, by virtue of the level of hardstanding the development would result in a negative impact on the character of the street scene and area in general.

-The noise and disturbance arising from the proposed development, particularly as a result of comings and goings, will have an adverse impact upon the living conditions of neighbours.

Mr Harvey has the option to appeal the decision.

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