Soft fruit polytunnels at Groves Farm, Colworth Lane, Chichester

What was proposed

The application sought permission for about 4.28 hectares of polytunnels for soft fruit production, using existing access and drainage measures.

“The application seeks full planning permission to erect a series of polytunnels (approx. 4.28 hectares) across the site for the purposes of soft fruit production, in particular a variety of raspberry, to meet market demand. The additional polytunnels will assist with effective cropping regimes and the rotational use on the farm holding.”

“The scale of the polytunnels is comparable with the existing polytunnels on the wider site measuring 6.9m wide by 3.65m high with 2.2m between the metal hoops with the lightweight structures covered in polythene. A shallow swale would be located between each row of tunnels to facilitate surface water drainage as detailed in the submitted Flood Risk Assessment.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 4.37-hectare site forms part of a larger horticultural holding, is screened by vegetation and lies beside the Elbridge Rife.

“The application site, including its access, is 4.37 hectares in size and forms part of the 138 ha Groves Farm agricultural holding south-west of the A259 at Bersted. The area includes approximately 92 hectares of existing polytunnels, and associated reservoirs for irrigation, predominantly used for growing various soft fruit. The application site is roughly rectangular in shape and relatively flat. The site is accessed from the A259 through the existing Groves Farm site.”

“The site is bound by mature trees and vegetation on all sides. The Elbridge Rife is located to the west, just beyond the application site, with trees and vegetation forming the western edge of the field boundary. Whilst there is some visibility of the site from the A259, along this western boundary, the northern boundary is however almost completely screened by mature trees.”

Officer report

Why officers recommended approval

Officers considered the proposal consistent with horticultural policy because it would support the existing farm, use established facilities and avoid significant environmental or amenity harm.

“The principle of new horticultural development is primarily controlled by Policy E4 of the Local Plan which is a permissive policy supporting new development “to ensure that the plan area’s horticultural industry remains nationally and internationally competitive” in recognition of the economic role horticulture plays within the District.”

“The proposed development is an intensification of the existing horticultural activities at Groves Farm and is operationally dependent upon the ancillary facilities located at Groves Farm. As the proposal is in close proximity to these ancillary facilities it negates the need for any plant or machinery to be located on the application site.”

Officer report

What consultees said

The parish council objected, while highways, flooding, landscape, environmental and economic consultees raised no objection or supported the proposal subject to safeguards.

“Please note that all representations are summarised. Comments can be viewed in full on the Council's public access system, and the latest comments from the Parish Council are provided at Appendix 2 to this report.”

“The applicant is now proposing an infiltration-based drainage scheme, which has been supported by ground investigations undertaken at the depth of the leg-swale infiltration features. We therefore no longer have an objection to the development, subject to condition.”

Officer report

Other public comments

No third-party representations were received.

“No third-party representations have been received.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The planning officer presented the report, outlined the site and explained the access, watercourse buffer, existing tunnels and proposed planting.

What members discussed

Members noted the economic development team’s support, and officers confirmed there were no highways objections.

“[name withheld] confirmed there had been no objections from West Sussex County Council Highways.”

“The Committee noted the comments of support from the CDC Economic Development team.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The committee agreed by a show of hands to support the officer recommendation to permit the application.

“Following a vote by show of hands, the Committee agreed to support the report recommendation to permit.”

Minutes

The final decision

The application was permitted subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report.

“Resolved; permit, subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report.”

Minutes