New farm inappropriate in Green Belt

PLANNING chiefs at Warrington are opposing outline proposals for a new farm on the grounds it would an inappropriate development in the Green Belt.
The plans have been drawn up by the occupiers of Rixton New Hall Farm, Rixton who want to relocate and downsize.
It would involve two agricultural buildings – one for storage and the other for cattle rearing – and a farmhouse on land to the west of Holly Bush Lane, Rixton.
Local councillor Bill Brinksman (pictured) supports the proposal and is urging the borough council’s planning committee to visit the site first if they are considering a refusal.
Rixton-with-Glazebrook Parish Council does not object, providing the proposals meets Green Belt policy and has been justified on agricultural grounds.
But planning officers says the development is contrary to Green Belt policy.
The National Farmers’ Union supports the scheme. They say the business at Rixton New Hall Farm is going through a period of rationalisation by downsizing and relocating.
The business will continue to grow cereals and rear store cattle so it is vital that someone is on site at all times to oversee welfare of the cattle who calve at all hours of the day, meaning a 24-hour presence is necessary.
Planning officers say the proposals do not demonstrate the essential need for a dwelling on the site and would, therefore, be inappropriate development in the Green Belt.
Even if a residential proposal could be justified it is usual practise to first consider a temporary residential unit, such as a caravan, for a few years to establish if the proposed new farm would be viable.
But in this case, they say, neither a functional nor financial need has been proven for a residential use either on a temporary or permanent basis.