Agricultural inspection shed at Opposite and adjacent to junction of Lower Knockbarragh Road with Upper Knockbarragh Road, Ballymoney, Rostrevor, Co.

What was proposed

The application sought a new shed over existing animal-handling facilities, used only to inspect and treat animals.

“Description of Proposal The application seeks full permission for the erection of a new agricultural shed to shelter existing animal/stock handling facilities for the sole purpose of inspection and treatment of animals. The plans indicate that the footprint/walls of the crush and holding pen are to be used with the walls extended higher and a roof erected over the top. Plans are shown below.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The roadside site is in open countryside and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, about 85 metres from the farmyard.

“Date of Site Visit: January 2025 Characteristics of the Site and Area The application site is within the rural countryside, outside any settlement development limits and within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty as designated in the Banbridge, Newry and Mourne Area Plan 2015. The development falls within the consultation zone of a Scheduled…”

“The red line boundary is rectangular in shape, comprising a roadside holding pen and crush. The red line boundary is cut out of a larger agricultural field that slopes upwards in a north- westerly direction. The site is bounded by a combination of a field entrance and hedgerow along its roadside and southern boundaries. The western boundary is bounded by an agricultural metal gate and a post and wire fence. The northern boundary is defined by the holding pen.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Nearby permissions include two dwellings, while an application for another farm dwelling, car port and garage was under consideration.

“North of application site, dwelling known as No. Upper Knockbarragh Road: P/2014/0680/F - Erection of one and a half storey dwelling on a farm – Permission granted, January 2015. LA07/2019/0526/F - Proposed minor changes to existing approved dwelling, to include relocation of proposed entrance and the addition of a detached garden store/boiler -Permission granted, August 2019.”

“North of the application site, adjacent No. Upper Knockbarragh Road: LA07/2025/0769/F - Construction of new farm dwelling, car port and garage along with associated site works and landscaping – Under consideration.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A speaker answered Members’ questions about the farm’s cattle and sheep, the proposed shed and the need for isolation space.

Members’ debate

Members discussed existing sheds, demolished buildings, alternative isolation areas, the shed’s scale and whether operational needs outweighed planning policy.

“Councillor Rice referred to comments made during the site visit regarding the Planning Department’s view that sufficient sheds already existed on the farm and asked [name withheld] for his response. [name withheld] advised that the applicant disagreed, noting that several buildings had recently been demolished and that the proposed structure was required for functional reasons.”

“Councillor Rice queried how isolation had been managed prior to the demolition of sheds, to which [name withheld] explained that the proposed building was not intended to permanently house animals but was needed for short-term isolation and treatment. [name withheld] clarified that the sheds had been removed to facilitate a new dwelling and reiterated DAERA guidance indicating that fields could also be used as isolation areas.”

Minutes

The decision

The Committee agreed to refuse the application and support the officer recommendation.

“Councillor Hanna then proposed that the Committee accept the officer’s recommendation for refusal, seconded by Councillor Larkin.”

“AGREED: On the proposal of Councillor Hanna, seconded by Councillor Larkin, it was agreed to issue a refusal in respect of planning application LA07/2024/0401/F supporting officer recommendation as contained in the Case Officer Report.”

Minutes