Farm irrigation reservoir at Land To The West Of Butlers Lane, Saffron Walden

What was proposed

Retrospective permission was sought for a farm irrigation reservoir supporting agricultural diversification, drought resilience and winter water abstraction for spray irrigation.

“This application seeks retrospective planning permission under Section 73A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 for the construction of a farm irrigation reservoir on land to the west of Butlers Lane, Saffron Walden. The reservoir is intended to support agricultural diversification and improve resilience to drought by enabling winter water abstraction for spray irrigation.”

“The proposal is considered to comply with the Uttlesford Local Plan (2005), the National Planning Policy Framework (2024), and supporting guidance including the Uttlesford Climate Crisis Strategy and District- wide Design Code. The reservoir supports sustainable farming practices, biodiversity enhancement, and climate adaptation.”

Officer report

The site and reservoir

The reservoir lies on elevated rural land west of Butlers Lane, between Ten Acre Wood and Butlers Farm, accessed by an existing agricultural track.

“The application site is located to the west of Butlers Lane, within the rural landscape surrounding Saffron Walden, Essex. It lies outside the defined development limits and is accessed via an existing agricultural track leading from Butlers Lane. The site is positioned between Ten Acre Wood to the west and Butlers Farm to the east, with the reservoir footprint situated on elevated ground adjacent to a disused railway embankment.”

“The reservoir has been constructed on land with spot heights ranging between 95m and 103m Above Ordnance Datum (AOD), offering natural containment and visual separation from nearby residential properties such as Oakfield Cottage and Painters Farm. The location plan confirms proximity to Ten Acre Wood and other ecological features including Bright’s Wood and Mollpond Wood. The site also lies within 2km of a…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because agricultural, environmental and climate benefits outweighed limited visual and amenity impacts, with mitigation secured through conditions.

“These benefits contribute to the economic viability and environmental sustainability of the farm and align with national and local objectives for supporting rural enterprise and climate resilience.”

“A comprehensive package of mitigation measures including landscaping, dust control, vehicle routing, and biodiversity enhancement, is to be secured through planning conditions.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The Highway Authority had no objection subject to a construction management plan, while the town council and other consultees raised no objections.

“The Highway Authority has no objection to the proposal subject to one condition: Condition: Construction Management Plan (CMP)”

Officer report

Public comments

Objections concerned alleged unauthorised engineering works, possible planning breaches, retrospective justification, decision-making integrity and precedent; general support gave no planning reasons.

“General support without planning-related reasoning…”

“Alleged unauthorised engineering operations and land alteration. • Potential breach of planning control and retrospective justification. • Impact on planning decision integrity and precedent.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Three councillors spoke against the application, while the applicant spoke in support.

Members discussed the proposal

Members considered flooding, landscaping, imported soil, the Environment Agency threshold, communication with the public and the need for strong construction controls.

“In response to questions from Members, officers: • Confirmed that most of the previous work had not been done by cut and fill but through importation of additional soil; all of which would have been licensed by the Environment Agency with no risk of contamination. • Said that the Landscape Officer was satisfied with the proposals. • Said it was not known how much further work would be necessary.”

“Members discussed: • Concerns in respect of flooding, Environment Agency issues and landscaping. It was stated that the Environment Agency would not comment on such issues due to it being below their threshold. • This being a positive application which would help the farmer and there being no negative comments from statutory consultees. • The need to have a strong CMP condition in place, also covering wheel washing requirements and notifications of any soil importations.”

Minutes

The committee vote

Approval was proposed subject to a construction management plan and seconded after members stressed community engagement.

“Councillor Loughlin said that she was happy to propose approval, provided that a CMP was included within the conditions. Councillor Church said how important it was for the applicant to engage with the local community; he seconded the motion.”

Minutes

The final decision

Permission was authorised with the report’s conditions plus a construction management plan, strengthened landscaping condition and ecology condition.

“RESOLVED that the Strategic Director of Planning be authorised to grant permission for the development subject to those items set out in section 17 of the report, together with a CMP, a strengthened landscaping condition and an Ecology condition.”

Minutes