A Leicestershire farm that has been hosting weddings for more than a decade without the relevant permission has had an application designed to rectify the situation refused.

Halstead House Farm in Tilton on the Hill has been owned by applicant John Driver for more than 50 years.


A design and access statement prepared by Leicester-based Marrons Planning revealed the first wedding was held at Halstead House Farm in 2001, but planning permission had not been secured for the activity.

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Proposals to change the use of farm buildings known as the Quail Shed and Opera House were submitted to Harborough District Council in March 2016.

The plans also included the conversion of the ground floor to a lobby, acoustic improvements to the Opera House and the erection of temporary signage for each event.

The documents were a resubmission of plans that had been lodged in November 2015 and later withdrawn in a bid to include more information.

Their refusal comes after an application for a Certificate of Lawfulness was blocked by the council in May. The application proposed the use of land as a wedding and events venues for no more than 24 events per year.

However, it was refused on the grounds that Halstead House Farm was unable to demonstrate that there had been at least 24 weddings at the site each year since 2006.

A spokesman for the venue told Insider: "We were disappointed with the decision of the council as, while we of course acknowledge the issues raised, we have gone to considerable lengths to reduce the impact of holding weddings on our neighbours.

"We are considering our response, including a possibility of an appeal against the refusal to grant a Certificate of Lawfulness. We are also in the process of contacting people who have existing bookings to explain the situation."

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