New bid to breed Alpacas

WARRINGTON property developer Brian Foden is making a new bid to win planning consent for a building to house special breed Alpacas – despite his earlier plan being thrown out by a Government-appointed planning inspector.
The new application again involves farm land adjoining Barondale Grange, in Stockport Road, Thelwall, comes before the borough council’s planning committee next week and has attracted opposition from a neighbour and from Grappenhall and Thelwall Parish Council.
But council planning officers say it has been substantially scaled down from the earlier scheme – and are now recommending it be approved.
The proposal is for a field shelter to house up to 12 Alpacas. An existing access track, taken of a public right of way to the east of the site, would be retained.
Mr Foden’s earlier appeal was dismissed on the grounds the building would be a sizable structure causing harm to the openness, character and appearance of the Green Belt.
The inspector also said the sale of Alpaca fur was a niche market and there was little to show the enterprise would be viable.
But planning officers say the new proposals are for a building with a 52 per cent smaller floor area and a 50 per cent reduction in its frontage, as well as a 0.6m reduction in height.
The previously suggested shallow pitched roof has been replaced with a dual pitched roof, which greatly reduces the bulk of the roof.
Access will be from a side road, not the busy Stockport Road so highways officers are not objecting.
A report to be considered by the committee also states that the applicant owns more than four hectares of agricultural land at Padgate, which will allow the size of the Alpaca herd to be much larger than the six pairs proposed for the Thelwall viste, which stock being rotated between the sites.
The sale of male stud Alpacas will support any sale of wool, helping to ensure the building is viable.
Grappenhall and Thelwall Parish Council have no concerns about the building but object to the access track.
A neighbour also says the access will be harmful to highway safety, the building will be too large and protected trees will be removed. They claim the proposed use is not suitable for a residential area.