Sir Lee Pearson's bid to block 'noisy' farm plan falls at last hurdle

Controversial plans for a large farm building on an historic estate have been approved. The proposals for the storage building at the Grade II listed Basford Hall, near Cheddleton, attracted objections from residents concerned about its visual impact and the potential for noise.

Objectors included 14-time Paralympic gold medallist Sir Lee Pearson, who feared noise from the building would 'spook' his horses during training sessions at his parents' nearby house. But councillors have now voted to approve the application for the 8.5 metre high building, which will be used for the storage of farm equipment and woodchip to be used as fuel in the estate's biomass boilers.

A number of objectors attended the meeting of the planning applications committee at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council to voice their concerns.

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Helen Bridgett claimed the plans were in breach of several development plan policies, including those aimed at protecting heritage assets and the open countryside.

She said: "Seven listed buildings and historic parkland are directly impacted by this proposal. Why has no heritage statement been submitted? And why hasn't the conservation officer been consulted?"

Fellow objector Steve Dawson said: "The approval of this scheme would lead to and establish the principle of development on previously undeveloped and visually prominent land in open countryside and within an historic landscape. The officers' recommendation to approve the application is at complete odds with the council's previous decisions in the same locality."

Rob Duncan, speaking on behalf of the applicants, told the committee that the location of the building had been chosen to minimise the impact on the estate's listed buildings, and argued the development would have environmental benefits. He also said the building would not be used for the processing of woodchips.

He said: "All of the woodchip for the existing biomass boilers are currently imported from a supplier in Market Drayton, 26 miles away. A total of 200 tonnes of woodchip is imported each year to run these biomass boilers, which collectively serve 14 properties across the wider Basford estate. During the winter there are two deliveries per week.

"It's the applicant's intention to prepare their own woodchip via the ongoing sustainable management of their woodland areas and store that woodchip within the building, thereby eliminating the need for it to be imported. In doing so there will be a substantial reduction in carbon emissions, and we submit that such environmental benefits weight heavily in favour of this proposal."

Planning officers had recommended the application for approval, on the basis that proposed tree planting would reduce its visual impact, and conditions could be imposed to limit any noise impact.

Most committee members agreed that the proposal was acceptable, subject to changes being made to the landscaping plan, and the floor of the building being lowered to reduce its visual impact.

Councillor Ben Emery said: "Landscaping is the most interesting issue. If we can get that right, what's not to like? It's a business. We need these things to enable people to carry on these farms and big houses. They don't look after themselves. So you've got to have some sort of income to support it."

Councillor Alan Hulme added: "Agriculture is under pressure. We're told we need to diversify. This is a form of diversification. It's managing the woodland, producing a product we need."

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