“Huge disappointment” as planners reject new Holly’s Farm Shop on Green Belt grounds

PLANNERS have rejected a plan for a new Holly’s Farm Shop at Penketh on the grounds it would be “harmful to the Green Belt.”

The decision has caused huge disappointment for the applicants, who are now considering whether to re-submit or appeal the decision.

A spokesperson for Holly’s Farm Shop said: “It’s a huge disappointment for both the farm and our community. The farm shop is the only farm shop in Penketh and we strive on supporting the health and well-being of our community. It’s a shame that Warrington Borough Council don’t feel the same way. The elderly access our farm and local schools come for educational visits. We also do a lot of charitable work within our community. The farm shop works with local farms to provide as much local produce as possible along with growing our own.
“It’s a shame that Penketh is built up with takeaways and housing instead of supporting our local farms.
“We are working with our agent and are looking to either appeal or re-submit.”

The application submitted last year, involved demolition of the existing farm shop and proposed new farm shop with associated storage area and car parking, while retaining an existing toilet and shed at the site on Tannery Lane, Penketh.
Warrington Borough Council has now given notice that permission is Refused for the development
referred to above in accordance with the application and plans submitted, for the following reason(s):
1. The proposal would result in inappropriate development, which is by definition harmful to the Green Belt and would furthermore detract from its openness and conflict with the purposes of including land in the Green Belt. No very special circumstances exist to outweigh the harm caused and as such, the proposal is contrary to Policy CS1 and CS5 of the Warrington Local Plan Core Strategy, national policy set out in the NPPF.
2. The proposed development, by virtue of it scale, including the introduction of new built forms, car park and associated surfacing would result in an increase in intensification of the site and consequent urbanisation which would detract from the open landscape and visual amenity of the area, contrary to Policies CC2 and QE7 of the Warrington Local Plan Core Strategy.
3. The proposed development introduces a retail use outside a defined local centre and it has not been demonstrated that there are no suitable sites available within or on the edge of the centre. As such the proposal conflicts with Policy SN5 of the Warrington Local Plan Core Strategy

In support of the plans the applicants said the shop had been re-planned to provide open storage plus a disabled toilet and a secure store.
As such it would be constructed with a conc block dado, pvcu bifold doors and windows, vertical timber boarding together with a profiled metal sheet roof and rooflights supported by a steel portal frame.
Parking would be provided in the form of 12 spaces 3 being for staff with 9 for customers.
Meanwhile, after being consulted by neighbouring St Helens Council, Warrington Borough Council has offered no objections to a new farm shop and associated car parking on land adjacent to Bargyloo Cottage, on Warrington Road, Bold Heath.

Plans submitted for new Holly’s Farm Shop at Penketh