Harrow Council Refuses Barn Plan at Thrale Farm
A proposal for a 1,475sqm agricultural barn in Hatch End has been refused for the fifth time.
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Harrow Council has refused a proposal for a 1,475 square metre agricultural barn at Thrale Farm, Oxhey Lane, Hatch End. This marks the fifth time a similar application for the site has been rejected.
The application sought approval for a barn to store hay, machinery, and agricultural equipment. The proposed building would measure 59 metres by 25 metres and stand 11.8 metres high.
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Reasons for Refusal
Council officers stated that the applicant failed to demonstrate the land is 'agricultural land' or that it is used for a trade or business. They also found insufficient evidence that the proposed barn is 'reasonably necessary' for agricultural purposes. The council noted that the proposal would exceed a ground area of 1,500 square metres within the agricultural unit.
Furthermore, the council highlighted that the access track and bridge serving the proposed barn are subject to an enforcement notice for their removal, deeming them unlawful. These existing issues meant the works would go beyond permitted development rights, Harrow Council said.
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Objections and Applicant's Response
The Hatch End Association objected to the application. They stated it appeared to be a repeated attempt to establish a significant commercial presence on the site using agriculture as justification for development on green belt land. The association raised concerns about the applicant demonstrating an independent agricultural business and the necessity of the building, alongside the ongoing enforcement issues.
In documents submitted with the application, the applicant claimed the proposal addressed previous refusal reasons with an expanded evidence base. This included photographs of the 2026 hay harvest, invoices, DEFRA records, and updated plans. The applicant's planning statement argued this evidence demonstrated agricultural use, production, trade, and operational need.
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