Agricultural and vehicle storage at Douglas Bank Farm, Anderton, Chorley

What was proposed

The application sought to convert an agricultural building into mixed agricultural use and commercial vehicle storage for two commercial vehicles, without external alterations.

“The application seeks planning permission for the change of use of an existing agricultural building to a mixed used building comprising agriculture and commercial vehicle storage, involving the parking of 2no. commercial vehicles. No external elevational alterations to the existing building are required in order to facilitate the proposed development.”

Officer report

The site

The site is in the Green Belt at the northern edge of buildings associated with a farm, reached by an unadopted track from Bolton Road.

“The application site is located within the Green Belt as defined by the Chorley Local Plan 2012-2026 within the rural locality of Anderton. The site contains an agricultural building which is located on the northern edge of a cluster of buildings associated with Douglas Bank Farm. The farm is located at the end of an unadopted track, accessed from the A673 Bolton Road, which is approximately 320m to the north of the site.”

Officer report

Earlier site history

Earlier applications concerned agricultural buildings, while a 2024 application for parking up to five commercial vehicles or wagons was refused.

“Description: Agricultural determination to erect a building for the storage of straw, hay and silage…”

“Ref: 24/00499/FUL Decision: REFFPP Decision Date: August 2024 Description: Change of use of an existing farmyard for the parking of up to 5no. commercial vehicles/wagons (retrospective)”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval subject to conditions, finding the conversion acceptable in principle and consistent with Green Belt, amenity and safety policies.

“The application site is shown on the Council’s constraints map as being located within the safety buffer zone of a gas transmission pipeline (pipeline 11, Feeder Samlesbury/Blackrod). The case officer has used the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) PADHI system during the consideration period of the application to obtain their advice in relation to the potential impacts of the proposal.”

“The proposed development would not be inappropriate development in the Green Belt, nor would it have an unacceptable adverse impact on the character and appearance of the existing site and the surrounding area, the amenity of neighbouring residents or highway and public safety. It is, therefore, considered that the development accords with the National Planning Policy Framework and policies BNE1 and HS9 of the Chorley Local Plan 2012 – 2026.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The parish council strongly objected, while county highways found no significant effect on highway safety, capacity or amenity.

“Anderton Parish Council – Have stated that they strongly object to the proposed development and have made the following comments:”

“Lancashire County Council Highway Services (LCC Highways) – Have stated that they do not have any objections to the proposed development and are of the opinion that it would not have a significant impact on highway safety, capacity or amenity in the immediate vicinity of the site.”

Officer report

Objections raised

Eight representations objected over alleged landfill use, vehicle noise, flooding, track damage, the Green Belt, highway safety and the area’s suitability.

“The farm has been used illegally as a landfill site. • Noise from vehicles travelling to and from the site. • Flooding.”

“HGVs have damaged the access track leading to the site. • Throstles Nest is not an industrial estate, and the planning application should be refused. • Site is in the Green Belt. • Highway safety.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The speakers were an objector, a parish councillor, a ward councillor and the agent.

The committee vote

The committee resolved to grant full planning permission subject to conditions, following a vote recorded as 4:3:2.

“After careful consideration, it was proposed by Councillor Craige Southern, seconded by Councillor Alex Hilton and subsequently Resolved (4:3:2)”

“That full planning permission is granted, subject to conditions. That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Enforcement, in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of Planning Committee, to agree the final wording of planning conditions.”

Minutes