A FARM has turned to renting out a building to local businesses to boost its dwindling agricultural income.

Sutton Hall Farm in South Hill, Langdon Hills is seeking retrospective planning permission after letting out an agricultural building for a gym and van repair business.

The farm is a grassland agricultural holding which has a large complex of traditional and modern agricultural buildings. Like many small farms the business has diversified and there are also equestrian uses alongside agriculture.

The application said: "As all farming enterprises have been forced to do in the light of falling commodity prices and withdrawal of government support the applicants have diversified a redundant building to provide an alternative income stream.

"The applicants have provided space for four businesses to operate in the local area. The southern half of the building is occupied by three separate small businesses carrying out van repairs. The northern half of the building is occupied by Proven Gym which is a private gym offering supervised one-to -one training sessions and small classes to members only."

The businesses in the 30 metre by 15 metre building have been in occupation for more than three years without complaint. There are three self-employed people working in van repairs and Proven Gym also employs three people on site.

The applicant added: "The change of use of the building to a mixed use provides clear benefits to the area in terms of employment as six people are employed on the site. The proposal repurposes a redundant farm building providing an important income to support the ongoing agricultural use of the wider holding."

The proposal is considered not to be inappropriate development within the green belt as it reuses an existing building in the farmyard.

The change of use of the building to a mixed use provides clear benefits to the area in terms of employment as 6 people are employed on the Site. The proposal repurposes a redundant farm building providing an important income to support the ongoing agricultural use of the wider holding.

Ryan Wilkins, director of Proven Gym, said: "As a private training facility rather than a commercial gym, we do not permit unsupervised access. All sessions are pre-booked through our dedicated app, ensuring structured and organised training.

"Additionally, every new member undergoes an initial consultation and ability assessment with our coaches before being allowed to book sessions."