Agricultural storage buildings at Levens Farm, Staveley-in-Cartmel, Ulverston

“Report from the Head of Development Management to Development Control Committee ________________________________________________________________ Application number: 7/2025/5708 Application type: Full Planning application Applicant: [the applicant]: Levens Farm, Staveley in Cartmel, Ulverston, LA12 8NH Grid reference: 337823, 486381 Proposal: Construction of 3 buildings for agricultural storage and maintenance, plus surrounding compound fence, plus a trailer store for…”

“Within the 3.4ha of land about midway between the house and the A592, adjacent to a stone boundary wall marking the northern boundary of the land, buildings/structures have been or are in the process of being constructed. The buildings comprise: • Building 1: An open fronted store with a shallow mono pitch roof, 2.2m tall.”

“Lake District National Park Authority Development Control Committee – 1 April 2026 7/2025/5708 • Building 2: A flat roofed, rendered walled, enclosed building entered by a couple of steps down, described as an agricultural workshop, 1.8m tall. • Building 3: An open fronted flat roofed workshop, 2.1m tall. • An area of decking, described as dry storage; and • Building 4: A bunded green (sedum) flat roofed trailer store (under construction).”

“The use of the land at present appears to be a mixture of agriculture, management for wildlife, and for amenity. There is no agricultural business operating, but some agricultural uses do take place: taking a crop from the meadows and grazing by livestock belonging to other parties.”

“I consider therefore that the development does not satisfy the requirements for support in principle for new development in the countryside set out in Policy 02 of the Local Plan, in particular with regard to being necessary for agriculture or forestry.”

“This lower area is marked by a notable absence of buildings. The character is dominated by the gently undulating pasture land featuring walls, hedges and trees, but otherwise flowing uninterrupted.”

“In landscape terms the proposed development would result in a small loss of pasture. In visual terms, seen in particular from the settlement, the development, while relatively low lying and having some existing and proposed screening, appears as a small but discordant feature in the landscape. The buildings are utilitarian and do not contribute anything positive to the character and appearance of the area.”

“The Parish Council are also concerned about a track across the fields and access onto/off the A592 that does not form part of this application. The Council’s concerns in this respect include highway safety and flood risk.”

“Westmorland and Furness Council as Local Highway Authority and lead Local Flood Authority have no objections.”

“Motion to refuse the application Proposed by [name withheld] by [name withheld] in favour of motion: Members against the motion: Abstentions: 2”