Farm storage shed at 220M South of 30 Sessiagh Road, Cookstown

The site and surroundings

The site is a 0.4-hectare parcel outside settlement limits, accessed through a neighbouring farmyard and along a disused railway line.

“The site is located within the rural area approximately 800m north-east of Tullyhogue along Sessiagh Road. The site is outwith any settlement limits as set down in the Cookstown Area Plan 2010. The site is a 0.4ha roughly square shaped parcel of land, cut out of a larger agricultural field. As a result the southern, eastern and western boundaries are undefined on the ground. The northern boundary is defined by mature trees.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended refusal because the applicant had not shown that the shed was necessary for the efficient use of the agricultural holding.

“…helping to prevent theft or accidental misuse. Given the size of the shed it is not clear how it can be utilised for all the uses that it is being claimed it is necessary for.”

“December 2025. This states that this is a full planning application for a proposed farm machinery/feed store with handling facilities and reiterates that the applicant has a cattle crush near to this location. Animals can be treated here whilst providing shelter and a secure place for holding animals. The shed is vital for storing tractors, implements and other equipment which protects machinery from theft and from weather damage.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent addressed the committee in support of the application and described the farming need across two locations.

What members discussed

Members debated the shed’s size, the absence of buildings at the outlying holding, and whether some shelter was needed there.

“[name withheld] stated that there are other buildings on the farm at the main farm holding which is ten miles away but that there are no other buildings at the site under consideration tonight. [name withheld] stated that the size of the building comes down to what is affordable at the moment, the proposal as submitted lets the applicant get established at that location and allows the farm to grow for the future.”

“Councillor Clarke stated that there are two separate plots of land which make up the farm holding and felt that if there are no other buildings at this 100 acre holding then it only stands to sense that some sort of shelter is required at this location. The Councillor agreed that the proposal is small and would probably need to be enclosed but that the debate tonight highlights the difficulty farmers have in getting a farm building on an outlying farm.”

Minutes

The vote and decision

A proposal to approve was made and seconded, and the application was approved subject to conditions delegated to officers.

“The HLP stated that the rationale for the overturn is that it is considered that the farm is active and established, a dwelling has been approved although it is removed from the application site and that as this is an outlying farm the building is essential for the efficient functioning of the farm business. The HLP asked that conditions be delegated to officers.”

“Resolved That planning application LA09/2025/0827/F be approved subject to conditions as delegated to officers.”

Minutes