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"Organic Farm"
The applicants, who are prospective leasees of the land, wish to:
- erect a large storage building,
of about 400 square metres floor area and 6 metres high
- erect a small farm shop next to it
- put up a mobile home
- erect polytunnels
- keep half a dozen pigs and 300 chickens
- install an unspecified number of mobile sheds for the livestock
- enlarge the access through the existing gate on Lodge Road
(where much of the existing old hedgerow has already been cleared).
WDC quite rightly turned the application down in December because:
- This area is designated Setting of Settlement
(of special significance in maintaining the landscape setting
and/or the individual character of settlements)
- The mobile home would have a detrimental visual impact on the characterof this rural area,
and in any case there was no proven need for agricultural workers to live on site
- The retail shop would also have a detrimental visual impact,
and is not fully justified, as a significant portion of its goods would not be produced on site.
The issues
The Setting of Settlements issue is crucial;
the local plans state clearly that development will not be permitted
that would detract from the open or countryside appearance of such areas.
This was an important factor in the Inspector's refusal of the Retirement Village in 1988.
While a few agricultural buildings may not seem to breach this policy,
what would happen next?
If the enterprise is a success, there would be pressure for further buildings;
and if it were to fail, there would now be established access from Lodge Road,
with established buildings -
the doorway to further development would have pushed a little further open.
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As to the mobile home, we all know that temporary permission for one of these
leads in a few years to an application for a permanent dwelling.
And what's wrong with the existing houses in the village?
Given these probable outcomes, together with the fact that the land is owned,
through Luff Farms Ltd., by a well-known local property developer,
we have vigorously opposed this application in order to preserve the open nature of this area.
The land itself is not of high quality, is liable to extensive flooding in winter,
and would need at least two years of careful preparation before any produce
from it could be called "organic".
The applicants apparently already have a business based on buying in organic produce,
packing it into selection boxes and delivering it to their customers,
and they wish to move it to this site. During the set-up period most
if not all their goods will be brought in, and even after the land is fully certified,
they say that "most will have been bought in from other organic suppliers
and possibly overseas."
This is not an "organic farm" - it is a food packaging and distribution business
with a small organic farm attached.
Whether you think the latter is just for cosmetic purposes is up to you.
WDC had the business proposals independently examined,
and the report cast a number of doubts over the plan.
The appellants disagree, and hope to produce additional information
at the Appeal to rebut them.
Both the business plan and the independent report, together with other papers,
are available for anyone to see in the Environmental Services Department at Shute End,
reference Application 99/70600/F.
As with all planning appeals, the Inspectors take note of correspondence
sent by local residents,
and if you feel that this development should not be allowed,
we urge you to write with your views to:
You should quote reference APP/X0360/A/00/1036482,
and ensure that your letter arrives by 28th February.
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