Agricultural structures and bund at Chalk Pit Farm, Stoke Ferry, King's Lynn

What was proposed

The application sought retrospective consent to retain three agricultural sheds, containers and an earth bund at Chalk Pit Farm.

“The application seeks retrospective planning consent for the ‘retention of existing structures for agricultural use and retention of earth bund’ at Chalk Pit Farm on Lynn Road. The site falls within the parish of Wretton but is located on the approach to the village of Stoke Ferry. Access is via an existing vehicular access off Lynn Road.”

“The structures include three steel corrugated agricultural sheds with steel containers (painted grey) between each. The ridge height of the middle shed (labelled as covered stock yard) is at 5.6m (and 2.8m to the eaves). The other covered stock yard to the north has a ridge height of 5m, and the storage shed to the south has a ridge height of 3.9m.”

Officer report

The site and its surroundings

The site is in open countryside near Stoke Ferry, between a former quarry and former landfill, with access from Lynn Road.

“The site lies between a former quarry to the northeast where there is an agreed restoration plan for that site, and to the northwest is a former landfill site. The landfill site is now vegetated and appears as countryside in the landscape.”

Officer report

Use and planning history

The land was historically agricultural, while the site was also temporarily used for commercial vehicle and telecommunications storage before being cleared.

“The application site has been used by the landowners temporarily to store vehicles and telecommunications equipment; however they state that this was only a temporary use and the site is being cleared. Prior to this the site was historically grassland (agricultural in use) and included the shared vehicular access to the chalk pit to the rear. At the time of the last visit to the site (February 2026) the covered stock yards were filled with hay bales.”

“The application was submitted following discussions with the Planning Enforcement Team and it was advised the use of the site should be regularised in the form of a planning application.”

Officer report

The officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended approval, considering the agricultural use, structures and bund acceptable, subject to conditions addressing contamination, drainage, waste and ecology.

“The use of the site for agriculture is lawful. The structures for agricultural purposes and the provision of a bund are of a scale and visual appearance commensurate to this use and is acceptable in the rural landscape. Given the distance to residential properties, there are unlikely to be significant issues related to amenity as a result of the development subject to the submission of waste management and drainage details, and the implementation of these.”

“APPROVE subject to the imposition of the following condition(s):”

Officer report

What consultees said

The highways authority had no objection; environmental quality and ecology officers supported approval subject to conditions, while other authorities had no comments.

“Environmental Health & Housing – Environmental Quality: NO OBJECTION subject to conditions…”

“Ecologist: NO OBJECTION subject to conditions…”

Officer report

Who spoke

Councillor Lintern addressed the committee under Standing Order 34 after withdrawing from the meeting for the item.

The committee’s discussion

Members heard that biodiversity concerns were addressed through ecological conditions and that contamination risks were covered by investigation and animal-keeping conditions.

“The case officer explained that concerns about biodiversity loss had been addressed through amended planning conditions requiring ecological enhancements, including hedgerow planting and habitat management, with input from the ecology officer.”

“The case officer explained the historic landfill and contamination risks, with environmental quality teams having investigated and found the site acceptable, and conditions ensuring ongoing suitability for animal keeping.”

Minutes

The vote

The committee unanimously supported approval with amendments to conditions 6 and 7, including tighter wording on implementation timescales.

“Councillor Spikings requested tighter wording for condition 6 to specify implementation timelines. The case officer referred to Condition 6 and advised that this could be amended ‘... carried out in full in accordance with the approved details within 3 months ...’ This was proposed by Councillor Spikings and seconded by Councillor Bone and agreed by the Committee.”

“The Democratic Services Officer then carried out a roll call on the recommendation to approve the application with amendments to conditions 6 and 7 as detailed in the correspondence received after the publication of the agenda and the further amendment to condition 6 agreed by the Committee, and after having been put to the vote, was carried unanimously.”

Minutes

The decision

The application was approved as recommended, subject to amendments to conditions 6 and 7 and the further amendment agreed by the committee.

“RESOLVED: That the application be approved, as recommended, subject to amendments to conditions 6 and 7, as detailed in the correspondence received after the publication of the agenda, and the further amendment to condition 6 agreed by the Committee.”

Minutes