Agricultural barn and access track at Land South Of The Rancher, Manor Farm Lane, Tidmarsh, Reading

The site and surroundings

The 35-acre smallholding lies south of Tidmarsh, outside a settlement boundary and within the North Wessex Downs National Landscape.

“This was not deemed acceptable by the case officer and so revisions were sought via publicised amendments on the planning file over June and July. These revisions propose a smaller building of a more typical agricultural design and appearance. The application site comprises a 35 acre small holding [13ha] lying to the south of Tidmarsh village. It lies outside any defined settlement boundary in the North Wessex Downs NDL.”

Officer report

Earlier applications and enforcement

Earlier proposals included a field office and agricultural barn pre-application, while the site also had considerable past enforcement history.

“It is noted for information that in the summer the applicant at the request of the case officer submitted an agricultural appraisal and a LVIA in support of the application. This too has also been formally reconsulted upon. Planning History 2.1 The table below outlines the relevant planning history of the application site. Application Proposal Decision / Date 18/01379/agric Proposed field office. Application required - 5/06/18”

“This submitted application is following on from the pre application identified above. It should also be noted that there is a considerable degree of past enforcement history on the site, but this should have no bearing on the Committee view on the proposal.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent and the ward member addressed the committee, with questions asked about the proposed pigs, machinery storage, hay sales and site activity.

What members debated

Members debated agricultural necessity, tractor storage, pig rearing, hay sales, the site’s history and the building’s limited landscape impact.

“Debate 23. Councillor Jeremy Cottam opened the debate by noting that the applicant would be likely to buy piglets and raise them rather than breeding them on site. He questioned the economic viability of the proposal, particularly the proposed reduction in the number of tractors from three to one 24.”

“Councillor Justin Pemberton agreed with the points made by Councillor Kander, and noted the concerns raised by the Ward Member and the history of actions of the site. He felt that there had been little discussion regarding the impact of the building on the local landscape, which he believed would be minimal, taking into consideration the barn’s height, scale, and appearance. He indicated that he was in favour of the application. 27.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The Development Manager was authorised to grant planning permission subject to the conditions in the main and update reports.

“RESOLVED that the Development Manager be authorised to grant planning permission subject to the conditions in the main report and update report…”

Minutes