Egg production unit at Whitecairn Farm, Kirkpatrick Durham, Castle Douglas

The site and surroundings

The site is in an agricultural field behind existing farm buildings, about 1.6 kilometres from Kirkpatrick Durham and 5.7 kilometres from Castle Douglas.

“The application site lies within an agricultural field to the rear of existing agricultural buildings approximately 1.6km from Kirkpatrick Durham and 5.7km from Castle Douglas. The surrounding landscape can be characterised as rolling with relatively open landscapes interspersed by agricultural steadings, small settlements and hedging/stone walling to roads sides and field boundaries.”

“There are a number of designated sites within a 10km radius as follows: • Milton Lock SSSI – 5.3km • River Dee (Parton to Crossmichael) SSSI – 6km • Loch Ken and River Dee Marshes SPA – 6km • Torrs Moss SSSI – 6.2km • Threave and Carlingwark Lock SSSI – 6.6km.”

Officer report

Planning history

There is no recent relevant planning history, and screening concluded that an environmental impact assessment was not required.

“There is no recent relevant planning history.”

“Environmental Impact Assessment – Screening 1.6 The development falls to be considered Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) 2017, being development within Category 1(c) and with a floorspace exceeding 500sqm. As a result, a screening opinion was undertaken which determined that no EIA is required.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the proposal supported farm diversification, rural employment and the existing farming business, while assessed impacts were acceptable.

“LDP2 Policy ED2 offers support for the expansion of existing businesses in the rural area where that business requires a rural location. It continues to set out encouragement for farm diversification proposals which support and complement the existing farm business because it is acknowledged that farming is no longer as profitable as it was in the past and maintaining the viability and competitiveness of such businesses is vital to the local economy.”

“Policies indicate that there is strong national and local policy support for development of agricultural businesses which can provide employment to support the rural economy and improve the viability of the applicant's existing farming business. The proposal meets the LDP2 vision and spatial strategy and the requirements of LDP2 Policy ED2 and NPF4 Policy 24 representing as it does farm business development in the rural area.”

Officer report

Main planning issues

The assessment considered the development principle, roads, environmental and ecological effects, design, landscaping and amenity impacts.

“The key considerations in the assessment of this application are:- • Principle of Development • Impact on Roads • Environmental and Ecological Impacts • Siting, Design and Landscaping • Amenity Impacts…”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The community council objected mainly over HGV traffic and road safety, while roads officers, Environmental Health and NatureScot raised no objection or comments.

“Corsock & Kirkpatrick Durham Community Council – Objection. Principal objection is largely focussed on road / traffic issues affecting the two main routes to the subject site. Two other minor routes are suitable only to smaller vehicles, namely from Crocketford and Boglebridge and from via A75 - Garmartin Farm Road. The principle roads concerns are: (i) From A75 on B794 at Old Bridge of Urr i.e. along Church Rd to Whitecairn Farm.”

Officer report

What people said

Eighteen objections raised concerns including traffic, design, trees, noise, odour, landscape, pollution, drainage, archaeology and protected areas; nine late representations supported it.

“The grounds of objection received can be summarised as follows:- a) Impact of additional vehicle movements. b) Unacceptable design. c) Harm to trees. d) Noise Implications following construction. e) Effect on setting of Kirkpatrick Durham Conservation Area. f) Adverse impacts of odour. g) Impact on nearby tourist businesses. h) Impact on landscape. i) Impact of manure. k) Air pollution. i) Impact on archaeology. j) Water run-off. l) Impact on protected areas.”

“Additionally, 12 late representations were received, 9 of which offered support for the proposal.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Two objectors and the applicant and agent addressed the committee.

Committee decision

The committee approved application 25/2063/FUL subject to the report’s conditions and an additional condition about roof solar panels.

“APPROVED application 25/2063/FUL subject to conditions as detailed in the report with additional Condition 7 being: That no development in respect of this planning permission shall take place unless and until details of the photo-voltaic / solar panels to be installed on the roof of the egg production unit have been submitted to and agreed in writing by the Council as planning authority.”

Minutes