Expanding moorland dairy farm can add new cattle shed

Colin Fielding has been granted planning permission for the agricultural livestock building at his Pulford Farm between Belthorn and Guide.

A Blackburn with Darwen Council planning officer’s report recommending approval with to six conditions says: “The application site relates to a farmstead accessed via Belthorn Road with a land holding of circa 200 acres.

“The activities predominantly comprise of rearing sheep and cattle, as well as production of milk, dairy products and other local produce.

“The site is positioned within a rural setting and surrounded by open countryside.

“Planning permission is sought for the erection of a detached agricultural building for the housing of livestock.

“It will measure 32.15metres by 14.45m and features a pitched roof with an overall height of approximately 6.4m.

“Subdivisions would be applied internally to provide livestock cubicles and passage areas.

“The north elevation will largely be open side with two access openings secured by metal gates to both side elevations.

“The application site lies within the area which is designated as Green Belt."

A supporting statement accompanies the application, which sets out the justification for the proposed building.

It reads: "The need for the cattle housing building (cubicles) at the farm is as a consequence of incremental increases to the cattle numbers over recent years and a need to provide improved housing facilities (i.e. welfare) for the cattle enterprises.

“The building will provide 74 cubicle spaces for dairy cows and heifers.”

“Based on the above information and evidence of the ongoing activities at the farmstead during the case officers' site inspection, the building and engineering operation of the hardstanding area is accepted as a proposal for the purpose of agriculture.

“There is no requirement to assess the impact of an agricultural building on the openness of the Green Belt.

“There are two residential dwellings located within the farmstead itself and one sited in close proximity to the proposed building to the west.

“However, it should be noted the occupants of these houses are directly associated with the farm, and therefore no concerns arise.

“The proposed building is typically agricultural in appearance and common to the rural landscape, thereby demonstrating an understanding of the wider context.

“Its position close to an existing cluster of buildings and its scale guards against any significant impact on landscape character arising from long-range views into the site from surrounding public vantage points.”