Plans to allow an historic 10-bed Manor House on Dartmoor once garrisoned for King Charles I during the English Civil War to be used as a holiday home are recommended for refusal, writes Daniel Clark, local democracy reporter
Canonteign Manor in Christow is mentioned in the Domesday Book and became a home for King Charles I and his troops when the war broke out in 1642.
The magnificent property has three floors of accommodation spread over 11,000 square feet and its grounds total 12 acres, including the Manor House, the formal gardens, parkland, orchard and the heated outdoor swimming pool.
It has spectacular views across the River Teign and one of its most attractive features is its spacious dining hall which has a stone floor and intricate wood panelling.
The impressive Grade I listed stately home is owned by Liqun Peng, who is based in China, and last year, due to him having to spend the majority of his time overseas, put the property on the market for around £4m.
He has asked Dartmoor National Park planners for permission to enable the Manor House in Christow to be used as a holiday let, but the Dartmoor National Park Authority’s planning committee, when they meet on Friday, February 7, are recommended to refuse the application.
Planning officers say that the proposed change of use, by the intensification of use of the main property, swimming pool and wider garden area, would result in a detrimental impact on the amenity of neighbouring residents and the character of this part of the National Park.
It would be a second blow to Mr Peng’s plans for the Manor, after a planning inspector turned down a bid for a lawful development certificate to enable short stay lets at the house in 2019.
The report to the committee, recommending refusal, says: “The principle of using this substantial country residence as holiday accommodation is finely balanced in comparison to that which could already occur as a large single dwelling. If, as a generous six bedroom residence, it were to be fully occupied by a family on a permanent basis that, in itself, could be intrusive to close neighbours.
“There is presently nothing that allows the Authority to control that level of use or times of use of the extensive gardens and authorised pool area by family and guests.
“However, the nature of use by a family unit could be argued to be different from that of separate groups of guests on a short term visit who may have less appreciation about the house, its setting and respect for neighbour amenity. By inference, their arrival on ‘holiday’ at the property may be expected to have a different impact and level of activity to all year round use by a family.
“This is a finely balanced matter and given that it is clear that planning permission is required for this intensification of use, the Authority has to properly consider how it, by condition or agreement, could limit the impact on neighbouring residents.
“It is considered that the frequency and repetition of use of the outdoor spaces by regular holiday use is different, more intensive and would potentially lead to unacceptable harm to amenity of residents in this countryside location in the National Park.”
There has been one letter of support with the application, saying it would support the maintenance of an historic building and add to the local economy, bringing tourists and creating work in the area.
The letters of objection had been submitted, saying the scheme will have an unacceptable effect on near neighbours, in particular, the use of outdoor space including the swimming pool, hot tub and garden which will adversely affect the quiet enjoyment of neighbouring residents.
The application from Mr Peng had said: ““Canonteign House is a substantial building that suffers from potential deterioration to the historic fabric through a lack of use. While the owners are conscientious in looking after the building and understand their role as custodians of the heritage asset for future generations, the scale and complexity of the building requires continual specialist maintenance and the daily running costs of heating the building to ensure that it does not suffer during the winter months,
“The proposals seeks to change the use from the current use class to Sui Generis, holiday let, in order to make use of the building on a more regular basis and for others to enjoy its grandeur and beauty, as well as the beauty and attractions of the wider National Park.”
But when the authority meet next week at the National Park’s HQ at Parke, they are recommended to refuse the scheme.