Agricultural building retention at Land adjacent to 112 Back Road, Drumbo

“LA05/2022/0831/F – Proposed retention of recently constructed agricultural building on land adjacent to 112 Back Road, Drumbo (Contd)”

“Despite his view that this application should be approved, Alderman Gregg could not consider the proposal to form part of a cluster and, unfortunately, had to support the recommendation of the Planning Officer to approve planning permission; • Councillor N Trimble, on behalf of everyone, apologised to the applicant for how long this application had taken to consider and the number of times it had been heard.”

“Whilst that may be appropriate for 99% of cases where there was a group of buildings or structures on a farm, this case had demonstrated that there was a viable route for how there could not be additional structures on a viable farm. The Committee was not in a position to change policy or to reinterpret it, rather it could only strictly apply it.”

“Councillor P Catney referred to reference having been made previously to a small chicken shed at the site. However, he stated that, whilst he had sympathy for the applicant, he was in support of the recommendation of the Planning Officer to refuse planning permission; • Councillor D J Craig stated that policy had let this application down. This was a very bureaucratic system and this was one occasion where the Committee found itself in disagreement with policy.”

“At this stage, Councillor D J Craig sought clarification from Officers regarding the presence of a chicken shed. Although at debate stage, the Chair, Alderman J Tinsley, permitted Officers to respond. The Head of Planning & Capital Development stated that Officers had not observed a chicken shed when on site, but acknowledged that that was in excess of 12 months ago. This was the first time this had been drawn to Officers’ attention.”

“Following discussion, it was proposed by Councillor D J Craig and seconded by Alderman O Gawith that this application be deferred to allow Officers to visit the site and verify information that had come to light in respect of the presence of a chicken shed in order that the Committee could come to a conclusion on this application having considered the full information. On a vote being taken this proposal was agreed, the voting being 9 in favour and 1 against.”