Planning chief steps down over live/work link

Cllr William Ashley chaired East Hertfordshire council’s development control committee, which at the end of last year approved plans to convert chicken sheds on his family farm at Brickendon into live/work units.

The authority’s officers raised concerns that Ashley’s demolition and rebuilding of the sheds went beyond the remit of the submitted permission for conversion granted in December.

The officers’ report, which recommended permission, stated: 'The buildings should be capable of conversion without substantial rebuilding... substantial rebuilding is not required to implement the proposals.'

However officers have said that Cllr Ashley can continue to build the development after taking legal advice.

Ashley secured permission for the conversion of the sheds into six live/work units, each of which will include two bedrooms with living and working spaces of 120 sq m and 60 sq m respectively. 

View planning report.