Agenda item

PROPOSAL: Erection of an agricultural building to be used as cubicle housing for dairy herd.

OFFICER RECOMMENDATION: Permit 

28.11        This application was for the erection of a new agricultural building to be used as cubicle housing for a dairy herd. The Committee had visited the application site on 11 September 2020.

28.12        The Planning Officer explained that Pamington Farm was a dairy farm extending to just under 200 acres with a range of modern and traditional farm buildings. The applicants also farmed another agricultural unit in the locality, taking the total farmed area to approximately 350 acres. The dairy herd consisted of approximately 100 pedigree dairy cows which were milked twice a day. The cows were calved on an all year-round system with all dairy herd replacements being reared on the farm. The proposal sought to re-house the existing dairy herd into a purpose-built building in order to promote better animal welfare. The building would be located east of the existing farm complex, situated in the corner of an agricultural field. There were a range of residential properties located to the south of the application site, the nearest of which was situated approximately 37 metres away. Several letters of objection had been submitted relating to the proximity of the building in relation to these residential properties. The new building would be of steel portal framed construction with concrete panels and space boarding above to eaves height. It would measure approximately 30.48 metres by 36.57 metres with a total overall height of 7.9 metres. An additional concrete track would lead to the existing field track which, in turn, would lead out onto an existing access to the B4079. The building could also be accessed from the farm so this would not be the only access. The Planning Officer drew attention to the fact that, as summarised in his report, the proposal would introduce the built form into a currently undeveloped area of pastureland. He judged that, given the size and scale of the building, some landscape impact would occur when viewed from public vantage points. However, the amenity impacts upon the neighbouring properties were deemed acceptable and national and local policy sought to support rural enterprises. Bearing this in mind it was considered that the benefits of the proposed scheme would outweigh the landscape harm and therefore the application was recommended for permit.

28.13        The Chair indicated that there were no public speakers for this item. The Officer recommendation was to permit the application and he sought a motion from the floor. A Member who had attended the Site Visit indicated how useful the visit had been. It was a working farm with the usual smells and muck associated with it; there was no intention to increase the herd and she did not feel that the erection of this building would result in any additional impact on what was already in existence. The conditions included additional landscaping and, on that basis, she was more than happy to propose that the application be permitted. The Member seconding the proposal concurred with the proposer and explained how important these buildings were for modern farming. A Member asked why the building could not be sited to the north which, as he understood it, would overcome the majority of the objections received. The Planning Officer advised that this had been explored with the applicant but the applicant had stated that, in terms of cattle welfare and cattle movement through the yards, such a siting would not be the best positioning for the building. Whilst no expert on farming the Planning Officer indicated that the applicant had advised there would be an issue with flow of the cattle through the building and the application site represented the most appropriate location for the building in terms of supporting the farming enterprise. After a further brief debate, a vote was taken, and it was

RESOLVED          That the application be PERMITTED in accordance with the Officer recommendation.