Stock Street Farm Barn banned from holding future events

Stock Street Farm Barn in Coggeshall, renowned by the community for its live music, weddings, and more, has been issued the ban by Braintree Council following a long planning saga.

However, following a final hearing by an independent planning inspector has now concluded, the appeal against a previous enforcement notice has been dismissed.

A planning application to allow various entertainment and event use on the site was received in 2017 and was refused.

Concerns were raised over activity on site leading to harm to heritage assets, highway safety and lack of sufficient on-site parking for events. 

Venue - Stock Street Farm Barn in Coggeshall (Image: Google)

An appeal against the refusal was lodged by owner Michael Staines and was subsequently dismissed by an independent Planning Inspector in 2019.

In April 2022, Braintree Council issued an enforcement notice on the business as it was operating without the necessary planning permission. 

A petition was launched at the time, which has attracted more than 3,000 signatures.

Mr Staines also appealed the enforcement notice, which was heard by an independent Planning Inspector at the end of last year.

The inspector’s decision on the appeal was revealed last week.

They upheld the enforcement notice, recognising the owner of the site “has sustained an unlawful use of the site since circa 2016” and did “not dispute there is a breach of planning control at the site”.

The inspector agreed with the council the proposed change of use for the venue has a “detrimental impact upon heritage assets and highway safety” and in reaching their decisions “the benefits do not outweigh the heritage harm identified to justify a grant of planning permission.”

Business operated 'entirely without planning consent'

Following the decision, a spokesman for Braintree Council said: “We know this is a valued business in the community, however unfortunately in this case, the current business activity on the site is taking place entirely without planning consent and therefore endangering an important historical building and the safety of road users on the A120.

“We have a duty as the local planning authority to take action against any business or individual breaching planning law when it is expedient to do so and act in the interests of building and resident safety.

“In this instance, the business continued to operate the unauthorised use in breach of planning control, and the independent Planning Inspector agreed with our reasoning that the change of use for this venue has a detrimental impact upon heritage assets and highway safety, which meant it did not meet national planning policy requirements to grant planning permission for its use."

The venue now must comply with the enforcement notice by ceasing the use of activity and car parking within two months.

Mr Staines and Stock Street Farm Barn were contacted for comment.