A WEDDING venue has been handed an enforcement notice for breaching planning rules.

Stock Street Farm Barn, Coggeshall, has been issued with the notice by Braintree Council.

The venue plays host to events including weddings, live music and film showings but has been holding them without planning permission, according to Braintree Council.

It says the business uses operating from the site “cannot be accommodated without giving risk to heritage harm and or highway safety concerns”.

The council has now served an enforcement notice which prevents any further events taking place.

Council planning boss Gabrielle Spray said: “We know this is a valued business in the community and recognise the positive benefits it brings to the local economy.

“Unfortunately, it is not in a suitable location because of the lack of sufficient on-site parking for events, and the resulting harm to the setting of the listed buildings and it hasn’t sought planning permission from the council for activities on the site.

“If it was in the right location and had planning permission then we would, of course, be supportive, but it is our duty as the planning authority to take robust action against those who breach planning laws.”

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But a venue spokesman hit back at the council’s “heavy handed” action.

He said: “All services will continue while we appeal the heavy-handed enforcement notice and secure retrospective change of use for our listed buildings.

“We have operated under a valid premises licence since June 2016 without incident or any public or highways complaint.

“Parking numbers and access were agreed with Highways England in 2019, and we deeply regret Braintree Council’s chosen enforcement action in preference to a normal public planning process.

“The technical heritage concern cited is that some guests may see some parked cars which ‘divorce the buildings from their setting diminishing their relationship with the surrounding fields upon which they were formally dependent’.

“However, this phenomenon is common throughout the district’s other venues and can be readily mitigated. We look forward to dealing with an independent planning inspector in a process where we can show how our safe business and the leisure use is optimal for our buildings and setting.”