Two additional poultry houses at Far Leys Farm, Ollerton Road, Tuxford

What was proposed

The application sought two poultry houses, feed silos, air-cleaning equipment, hardstanding and dirty-water tanks, while keeping total bird numbers at 360,000.

“The application seeks full planning permission for the erection of two additional poultry houses at Farleys Farm, Ollerton Road, Tuxford. The proposal comprises the erection of 2 No. new poultry houses, each measuring 110 metres in length and 24.69 metres in width, with an eave’s height of 3 metres and ridge height of 6.2 metres.”

“Associated development includes an extension to the existing concrete apron and installation of additional dirty water tanks to accommodate washout water and scrubber liquor from the new air cleaning systems.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

Far Leys Farm is an established poultry enterprise in the countryside beside Tuxford, with access to Ollerton Road and nearby homes approximately 490 metres away.

“Farleys Farm is an existing authorise countryside poultry enterprise comprising six poultry sheds with an established capacity for 360,000 birds, operating under Environment Agency Permit EPR/EP3304SW. Permission for the original development of six sheds was granted on 13 November 2018 under planning reference 18/00830/FUL, with the development completed and operational by late 2019.”

“The access to the site is via private access road leading to Ollerton Road A6075 from northern bond the closest neighbour is the Farm House in approximately 490m toward south and 490 m from Farleys House toward the west.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Previous permissions covered a grain store, farm entrance, six poultry buildings, supporting infrastructure and an agricultural worker’s dwelling; a manager’s house application was refused.

“Application No.18/00830/FUL Granted in 2018 for the erection of six agricultural buildings for poultry rearing, with associated buildings and infrastructure, and construction of a new access…”

“Refused in 2019 for the erection of a poultry manager’s house (agricultural worker’s dwelling)”

Officer report

Consultation and concerns

Most consultees raised no objection or supported the proposal, while one neighbour questioned the shared access drive and possible additional heavy vehicle impacts.

“BDC Ecology: No objection, subject to conditions BDC Environmental Health: No objection, subject to conditions LCC Archaeology: No objection NCC Highways: No objection NCC Lead Local Flood Authority: No objection NCC Nature Conservation: No comment NCC Planning Policy: No comment NCC Rights of Way: No objection, subject to conditions Anglian Water Services: No objection, subject to conditions Environment Agency: No objection Natural England: No objection Nottinghamshire…”

“The neighbour raises concerns regarding the shared access drive used by existing chicken farm traffic. They state they were not notified of the proposed expansion and are already experiencing deterioration of the shared drive due to heavy goods vehicle movements associated with the current operation. This issue has previously been raised with the relevant third-party covenant holders.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Senior Planning Officer presented the application, and the agent spoke in favour after members attended a site visit.

Members’ discussion

Members commented and asked questions about material and non-material issues, which the Senior Planning Officer addressed.

“Members made comment and posed questions on material and non-material issues during the debate, which were addressed by the Senior Planning Officer.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee resolved to grant planning permission subject to the conditions set out for the application.

“Planning permission be Granted, subject to the conditions detailed in the report…”

“Planning permission be Granted, subject to the conditions detailed in the report.”

Minutes

Conditions attached

Permission requires approved plans, materials, rights-of-way protection, water resources, biodiversity management, contamination safeguards and environmental and flood-risk measures.

“No development shall commence until a strategic water resources strategy has first been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The strategy will confirm non-domestic water is available to serve the development and should explore innovative solutions which may help reduce overall water demand.”

“The HMMP shall include: a) the roles and responsibilities of the people or organisation(s) delivering the HMMP; b) the planned habitat creation and enhancement works to create or improve habitat to achieve the biodiversity net gain in accordance with the approved Biodiversity Gain Plan; c) the management measures to maintain habitat in accordance with the approved Biodiversity Gain Plan for a period of 30-years from the completion of development; and d) the monitoring…”

Officer report