Alpaca breeding plan deferred

PLANNING bosses at Warrington have deferred a decision on proposals for a building to house special breed Alpacas.
Property developer Brian Foden made a new bid to win planning consent for the building adjoining Barondale Grange, Stockport Road, Thelwall – despite a similar earlier plan being thrown out by a Government-appointed planning inspector.
The plan was opposed by a neighbour and by Grappenhall and Thelwall Parish Council, although council planning officers said it had been substantially scaled down from the earlier scheme recommended it be approved.
But councillors were concerned about access to the site and deferred it for further information.
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.
Access will be from a side road, not the busy Stockport Road so highways officers were not objecting.
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.