Proposed erection of polytunnels for strawberry table top production and the necessary infrastructure, including internal farm access tracks, a sustainable drainage scheme with attenuation ponds, seasonal worker accommodation and facilities, fruit chiller, cold store and loading bay with landscaping and environmental enhancement measures.

The application was approved in accordance with the Case Officer’s recommendation.

(Proposed erection of polytunnels for strawberry table top production and the necessary infrastructure, including internal farm access tracks, a sustainable drainage scheme with attenuation ponds, seasonal worker accommodation and facilities, fruit chiller, cold store and loading bay with landscaping and environmental enhancement measures.)

The Principal Planning Officer (PPO) gave a presentation on the application, and updates/additional representations received following the publication of the agenda were provided in the update sheet, as appended to these Minutes.

She highlighted a correction that the proposed polytunnels would cover 35.06 hectares rather than 37.02 hectares as set out in the report.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr G Blackmore of Ocle Pychard Parish Council spoke in opposition to the Scheme.  Mr R Williams spoke in objection on behalf of the Campaign to Protect Rural England and local residents.  Mr G Leeds, the applicant, spoke in support.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, the local ward member, Councillor JG Lester, spoke on the application.  He made the following principal comments:

·        The applicant had held a comprehensive consultation event.

·        Polytunnels were a necessary part of modern soft fruit production.  The application did have economic benefits.  However, these had to be weighed against the negative impacts on the local community.

·        There had been 17 letters of support.  However, there had been objections from the Parish Council, two neighbouring parish councils, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, a petition, and over 200 individual letters of objection.  This demonstrated the local community was opposed to the application.

·        There was concern about the impact on the highway network.  The proposal would create 23 full time jobs and work for over 300 temporary workers.  Even though the applicant proposed to provide buses to transport agricultural workers to amenities there would be a significant impact on a narrow lane currently used by a few households.

·        The size and width of the polytunnels was considerable and would have a significant impact.  They would be in place for some 9 1/2 months.  They would use 30 hectares of farmland.

·        The Landscape Officer, as set out at paragraphs 4.6 and 6.53 of the report, had concluded that the impact of the development would not be significant.  This was based on the view that polytunnels and caravans were temporary in nature and could be removed.  However, a judgment on whether something was temporary or not should be based on how long it would be in place, not on how easy it was to remove it.  There was no time limit on the proposed operation.  Insufficient weight had been given to the adverse impact the Polytunnels would have on the environment.

·        In addition insufficient weight had been given to the impact of the presence of 330 seasonal workers whose accommodation was in proximity to existing residents.  However sound the management arrangements the applicant put in place there would be an impact.

·        The Ocle Pychard Neighbourhood Development Plan could be afforded significant weight.   The proposal was contrary to policy OPG1 and could not be considered  ...  view the full minutes text for item 101