Contact: Karin Taylor, ext 5938

1. Summary

1.1 Planning permission is sought for the erection of livestock buildings at a dairy farm near Basingstoke. The proposed structures are required primarily for animal welfare purposes and will be positioned adjoining the existing farm building complex. Objections to the proposal have been made on the basis that access is inadequate. Letters supporting the proposal on animal welfare grounds have also been received.

2. Site and Proposal

2.1 Upper Cufaude Farm, illustrated on the attached location plan, is located in between Bramley and Basingstoke close to the residential area of Chineham. It is a County Farm comprising approximately 32 hectares which supports a pedigree Jersey herd. The farming system is 'zero' grazing, ie the animals are kept permanently in yards/sheds and all available land is utilised for the provision of forage. This mainly comprises maize and is farmed with the assistance of contract labour.

2.2 The proposal is for two new livestock buildings: a covered yard building attached to an existing similar building which houses the dairy herd, and a smaller, detached young stock/workshop building sited to the rear of the farm bungalow. The covered yard will be clad in metal sheeting and the young stock building in a combination of metal cladding and Yorkshire boarding.

2.3 A later amendment identified an area on the opposite side of Cufaude Lane to be used for lorry turning, but this amendment has subsequently been withdrawn.

3. Development Plan

3.1 Basingstoke and Deane Borough Local Plan, adopted September 1998, Policies C20 and C21 allow for development which is related to agriculture, subject to certain provisos in relation to siting, design, traffic, nuisance and nature conservation.

4. Consultations

4.1 Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has no objection to the proposal, subject to conditions.

4.2 Bramley Parish Council has no objection to the proposed development but has suggested that the safety impact of any additional traffic on the junction should be considered.

4.3 The local Member, Councillor Chapman, objected to the application but was content when it was confirmed that the yard opposite would not be used for turning lorries.

4.4 The County Surveyor has no highway objection, provided that the vehicular use of the site will not increase.

5. Representations

5.1 Letters have been received from a nearby resident expressing concern about inadequate access to the farm; the farm entrance is too narrow with the result that large vehicles overrun the lane, causing damage to verges and depositing mud on the road. Cufaude Lane is narrow and has increased traffic following nearby residential and commercial development. Two letters have also been received from the local Member of Parliament asking for comments on these matters.

5.2 A letter of support has been submitted by another nearby resident, stating that the proposals have merit on animal welfare grounds and may lead to less effluent on the site and the tidying up of the farmyard.

5.3 Two letters have been submitted from veterinary surgeons, advising that the inadequate housing for young animals (currently open-air) causes considerable strain on the health of the animals. The open yard area suffers from excess damp which increases the risk of infection.

6. County Planning Officer's Comments

6.1 Following site meetings with the County Surveyor and County Land Agent, revised plans have been submitted showing proposed improvements to the farm entrance and the sight line on Cufaude Lane, involving trimming back the hedge and roadside trees to improve visibility, widening the entrance to the farmyard and installing a pair of six metre-wide gates. Agreement has also been reached with the farmer to secure improvements to the current state of the farmyard and to a storage compound on the opposite side of the lane, which cause local concern but are not strictly relevant to this application.

6.2 The proposed development is not intended as a precursor to the expansion of the farm, but is to improve conditions for the livestock. The opportunity is being taken to improve access to the site and to the general situation in the storage yard, which should alleviate problems associated with the turning of large vehicles and machinery, over-running of the highway verges, mud and water on the road, and the inappropriate and un-neighbourly storage of surplus materials. On balance, it is considered that the proposals will secure an overall improvement in both the appearance and condition of the site, the efficiency of the holding and animal welfare, and in access to the farmyard.

Recommendation

That planning permission for the construction of a new agricultural livestock covered yard building (linked to existing buildings) and construction of a new detached agricultural young stock/workshop building at Upper Cufaude Farm, Bramley, Basingstoke (Application No. BDB/53189) be granted, subject to the following conditions:

(1) The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of five years from the date on which this planning permission was granted.

Reason: To comply with Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

(2) Samples and/or details of the materials and finishes to be used for the external walls and roofs of the proposed buildings shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority in writing before the development commences.

Reason: In the interests of visual amenity and to secure a satisfactory development.

(3) If the buildings hereby permitted cease, either individually or collectively, to be used for agricultural purposes in relation to the agricultural use of the holding that building shall be removed and the land restored to its former condition.

Reason: The site is in an area where new buildings are not normally permitted.

(4) Measures shall be taken to prevent mud and spoil from vehicles leaving the site during the construction works being deposited on the public highway. These measures shall be implemented before the development commences and thereafter maintained. No vehicle shall leave the site unless its wheels have been cleaned sufficiently to prevent mud being carried onto the public highway. In the event that any mud or spoil is deposited on the highway, it shall be cleaned off at the end of each working day.

Reason: In the interests of highway safety.

7407/KT