Holiday lets opened without planning permission 'significantly harm' Shropshire Hills' scenic beauty, owners told

An application to change the use of a cottage and two log cabins on the slopes of Caer Caradoc into holiday lets was first submitted to Shropshire Council in October 2023 - despite the business having already operated as such for more than two years.

The applicants, Katherine Cooper and Philip Richmond, argued the scheme in All Stretton was a "small-scale development" and was of "economic benefit to the surrounding area and local businesses".

The proposal came under fire from neighbours, who argued that there had been several "prohibited structures" erected on the site and alleged that the commercial use of the properties had led to the erosion of an access track.

But the plans were backed by Church Stretton Town Council who said the cottage had been operating as an "Airbnb for some time" and there had been "no issues".

In March 2024, Shropshire Council refused permission, stating the scheme was a "tourism enterprise in an unsustainable isolated location in the countryside".

The decision notice stated that the "extensive alterations, additional paraphernalia and structures" were inappropriate for the "prominent, isolated hillside location".

It continued: "These intrusive features would erode rather than protect, restore and enhance the built and natural environment and would harm the special qualities of the national landscapes designation." 

In October, the applicants took the decision to the government planning inspectorate, which has now determined the development "significantly harms the landscape and scenic beauty of the Shropshire Hills National Landscape". 

"The scheme has led to the introduction of additional built form, hard surfacing, and over-intensive paraphernalia into a sensitive landscape," the decision notice reads, referring to the addition of decking, hot tubs, pergolas, barbecue areas and outdoor seating that had been added. 

"Even though some such residential paraphernalia would have been fairly expected in association with a former single dwellinghouse use, this would not be comparable to that realistically anticipated to be associated with three separate units of holiday let accommodation.

"Despite the dense vegetation to the rear of the buildings, the buildings and the decking are clearly visible against the backdrop of the Caer Caradoc hills in eastward views."

The applicants lodged an appeal against potential enforcement action from Shropshire Council earlier this month, which is currently being reviewed by the planning inspectorate.

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