Since the 1830s, local people in Minehead, Somerset, have celebrated May Day by parading a traditional Hobby Horse around town. The Hobby Horse (known as 'Sailor's Horse') consists of a frame, wrapped in cloth, and decorated with bright colours.
The desire to preserve this tradition led to the submission of a planning application for two-storey Sailor's Horse Music facility which aimed to contain a permanent exhibition space for the hobby horse, a music workshop and museum, as well as a two-bedroom flat for an on-site caretaker. However, the proposed development was to be located in the Quay Street Conservation Area, and it was felt that the building would disrupt the built form of the street, and was rejected.
On appeal, the planning inspector aimed to determine whether or not the proposed development would enhance the character of the conservation area. The proposed development would be behind two listed buildings; the issue being the current preserved street is only one building deep and the development would disrupt that.
The inspector took into consideration proposed alterations to the scheme, but had to come to the reasoned conclusion that the development, if allowed, would neither enhance or preserve the setting.
Finally, the inspector, in line with the National Planning Policy Framework, had to consider whether the public benefit of the proposal would outweigh the potential harm. Although it was acknowledged that the development would allow the preservation of a tradition, the public benefit did not outweigh the potential harm that the building would cause to the conservation area.
As a result, the appeal was dismissed.
