AN innovative plan to set up a birthing centre for alpacas has suffered a setback after planning chiefs at Warrington rejected proposals for a home for an agricultural worker on the site.
Warrington Borough Council’s development management committee decided the scheme at Woodlands Alpaca Farm, Thelwall would have a detrimental impact on the Green Belt.
Applicants the Egerton Trust had put forward an argument that the “very special circumstances” necessary to justify the development on Green Belt land were net because an on-site worker would be required to care for the birthing and breeding centre.
An earlier application for a permanent property on the site was refused by local planners and also rejected on appeal in 2018 but the new application was for temporary permission and involved a mobile home.
The committee was told that Woodlands Alpaca Farm had been operating for seven years and is a small but viable business, with planning consent for 16 alpacas.
But there was a demand for specialist birthing facilities in the North West. Alpacas were hardy and for the most part could be left without permanent supervision. But birthing mothers and their young required particular car and attention.
The application was opposed by one local resident and by Grappenhall and Thelwall Parish Council.
The objections were based on highway safety fears due to vehicles visiting the site and the view that the site had reached its capacity for alpaca management.
