UPDATED: A PROPOSAL to demolish The Holly’s Farm Shop at Penketh and build a new facility on a green belt site has been rejected by town planners.
Applicant Kirsty Towell was seeking permission to demolish The Holly’s Farm Shop in Tannery Lane and build a new farm shop with storage, disabled toilet and car parking on the site.
Despite 70 letters of support for the plan and one letter of objection, members of the planning committee voted to refuse the application. Penketh Parish Council supported the application contrary to the planning officer recommendation, a report heard.
But planners recommend refusal with delegated authority given to the development manager to make non-material changes to the reasons for refusal.
They said the proposal represents inappropriate development in the green belt and is “unacceptable in principle.” No very special circumstances have been evidenced which would be sufficient to outweigh the harm to the green belt.
The farm shop proposal would have “an unacceptable impact on visual amenity and the rural character of the area.”
The application was referred to the planning committee in May 2024 where it was deferred by councillors for further discussion on a number of points.
These included relationship to the shop and stables and exploration of very special circumstances.
Councillors met with the applicant in June 2024 in order to provide some assistance to the details requested by the committee “such as items that are sold in the farm shop.”
No additional information was submitted but at the end of September, the applicant appointed a new agent and discussions took place by email and phone calls.
When additional information was received “it was considered that the proposal was not supported by any written formal evidence of the special needs care provided at the site or additional information which sufficiently addressed any of the reasons for deferral.”
Despite the best efforts of planning officers to obtain information requested by the committee in deferring the application, a report noted that “very limited information has been provided. The agent was advised of the deadline for providing any further information ahead of this DMC and have confirmed that they have nothing more to add.”
Planning Enforcement is aware of this application and that the existing unauthorised shop remains on the site; they have advised that the option to enforce remains intact. If in the future, the applicant is able to demonstrate additional information to address the reasons for refusal then the option remains for them to
reapply for planning permission. They would also have the opportunity to appeal a refused planning permission.
Warrington Borough Council planners said the main issues relating to the application remain – development in the green belt, visual amenity and the retail use out of an existing centre.
The proposed development doesn’t fall within any exemptions and “it is considered to be inappropriate development in the green belt.”
“The existing farm shop and associated car park is unauthorised development in the green belt and would not be classed as previously developed land.”
Councillor Geoff Fellows, Independent Penketh and Cuerdley councillor, didn’t take part in the vote on Thursday night at Warrington Town Hall.
Cllr Judith Wheeler asked for clarity from officers about what information had been received.
Officers said everything received is contained in the packs and “we don’t think there’s sufficient information.”
Councillors on the Development Management Committee moved refusal following a vote.
