Farm storage building at Lands 60m North of 37 Colebrooke Park Road, Brookeborough

What was proposed

The application proposed a new farm storage building for fencing, tools, small machinery and general farm supplies.

“The proposal is for a new farm building. Whilst there is an active and established farm business it has not been demonstrated that the building is necessary for the efficient use of the agricultural holding. The building is not clustered with other buildings and is not sited beside the existing farm buildings.”

“Farm Maps • Biodiversity Checklist • Planning Statement This is summarised as stating: “The building is intended to store fencing, tools, small machinery and general farm supplies. The application complies with the LDP, particularly Policy IB06, by confirming the farm business has been active for over six years and that no existing buildings are available on the western side of the Belfast Road.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The site is a relatively flat agricultural field in the countryside, accessed from Colebrooke Park Road and bounded by hedgerows and mature trees.

“Site Details The application site is located within an agricultural field in the countryside and accessed via Colebrooke Park Road. The site is relatively flat. The southern…”

Officer report

Planning history

There is no planning history on the site that is material to this application.

“There is no planning history on the site material to this application.”

Officer report

The main planning issue

The proposal was considered too small for the claimed agricultural need and too far from existing buildings to satisfy the relevant policy tests.

“In that case, the Commission dismissed the appeal because the appellant did not demonstrate that the building was necessary for the efficient use of the agricultural holding, as required by criterion (b) of Policy IB06. The Commission concluded that general comments about storage needs or operational convenience, without clear and verifiable evidence of an actual functional requirement, did not amount to proven necessity.”

“Consistent with that approach, the proposal fails to satisfy criterion (b) of Policy IB06. The type of materials being stored can also be easily loaded into a vehicle and brought to the site as and when they are needed and the proximity of existing farm buildings undermines the claimed need for additional veterinary or storage facilities.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Environmental Health, Historic Environment Division and NI Water raised no objection subject to matters including conditions, while DfI Roads requested drawing notes.

“FODC Environmental Health has advised it is ‘content with conditions’. One condition is included in their response:”

“DfI Roads has provided advice and requested additional notes are added to the drawings regarding the gradients and location of gates and security barriers. These matters could be conditioned, in the event the application is granted planning permission…”

Officer report

Those who spoke

The agent, applicant and a councillor spoke in support, citing storage needs, road safety, animal welfare and the absence of objections.

The decision was deferred

The committee unanimously held the decision for two weeks to allow further supporting information addressing the refusal reasons.

“A Member proposed that the issuing of a decision on the above application be held for a period of two weeks to provide the applicant/agent an opportunity to submit supporting information to overcome the reasons for refusal. This proposal was duly seconded.”

“RESOLVED: On the proposal of Councillor Robinson, seconded by Councillor Thompson, and unanimously agreed, that the issuing of the decision on the above application be held for a period of two weeks as allowed in the Planning Committee Protocol to give the applicant/agent an opportunity to submit supporting information to overcome the reasons for refusal. (”

Minutes