Owner of listed seventeenth century manor wins battle with council to keep away from tearing down ‘unlawful’ 30ft greenhouse and construct swimming pool
The owner of a listed 17th century manor has triumphed in his fight with a council to keep his 30ft greenhouse – and can now go ahead with building a swimming pool.
Wealthy landowner Andrew Blowers put up the modern greenhouse for plants and vegetables at his Grade II-listed Great Campston Manor in Monmouthshire, Wales, without planning permission.
The 30ft greenhouse at his 11-bedroom mansion in the village of Grosmont, near Abergavenny, was only discovered by planning officials when he applied for a new swimming pool and gym on the 200-acre estate.
Planning officer Kate Bingham characterised the greenhouse as ‘domestic, modern and highly reflective’ and as such was ‘particularly detrimental in the setting of the listed buildings’.
Monmouthshire County Council asked Mr Blowers to remove the unauthorised greenhouse – only for him to refuse, putting at risk his bid for a new pool and gym complex.
But his latest plans have been given the go-ahead after the local authority said refusal of the entire application would be ‘considered disproportional’.
After a lengthy dispute, the council backed down to allow the pool – but with a stipulation clarifying that the greenhouse falls outside the planning consent.
The report confirmed that whilst the greenhouse will stay put, it isn’t included or sanctioned within the application.
Wealthy landowner Andrew Blowers put up the modern greenhouse for plants and vegetables at his Grade II-listed Great Campston Manor in Monmouthshire, Wales, without planning permission
The 30ft greenhouse at his 11-bedroom mansion in the village of Grosmont, near Abergavenny, was only discovered by planning officials when he applied for a new swimming pool and gym on the 200-acre estate
But his latest plans have been given the go-ahead after the local authority said refusal of the entire application would be ‘considered disproportional’
The report reads: ‘It has been considered objectionable and although lengthy negotiation for its removal on plan and in physical form has failed to reach agreement, it will be conditioned that notwithstanding the application, “a greenhouse is not consented as part of this consent”.
‘Consideration to refuse the entire application on this basis was however considered disproportional as this element “did not go to the heart of the consent” in terms of scale or proportion and that a condition prohibiting it would be sufficient,’ Ms Bingham added.
The decision was made to approve the application, which also encompasses the conversion of 226 square metres of existing farmyard into residential curtilage to accommodate a swimming pool.
Mr Blowers’ Great Campston has roots in the 17th century, with the site’s heritage stretching back to medieval times and links to both King Charles I and Welsh prince and warrior Owain Glyndwr.
The residence, which originated in the 17th century but has been remodelled and extended significantly in 2002, received listed status in 1952, whilst a barn on the estate was granted grade-II listing in 2002, and the site continues to operate as a working farm.
