Issue - meetings

Refused, reasons to be set out in the minutes.

The Committee considered application 19/00423/F for the erection of six poultry rearing buildings and associated infrastructure at Middle Farm, Featherbead Lane, Mixbury, Brackley,NN13 5RN for PR and IC Rymer Limited.

Local Ward Member Councillor Barry Wood addressed the Committee in opposition to the application.

The Committee heard from two public speakers Peter Ryman the applicant and Ian Pick the Agent in support of the application.

It was proposed by Councillor Corkin and seconded by Councillor Heath that application 19/00423/F be refused contrary to the officers recommendation as the benefits did not outway harm and the application was contrary to the Local Plan.

In reaching its decision the Committee considered the officer’s report and presentation, the written update and the addresses of the Ward Member and the public speakers.

Resolved

That application 19/00423/F be refused for the following reasons:

1.               By virtue of its scale and siting, the proposal would result in significant and demonstrable harm to the character and appearance of the area, and harm to the landscape character of the area, the enjoyment of users of the nearby Public Right of Way and to the tranquillity of the area, and this harm significantly and demonstrably outweighs the need for the proposal and the benefits arising from the proposal, including the production of affordable food.  Diversification of the farm has already taken place and it has not been satisfactorily demonstrated that this scale of further diversification is needed in order to keep the farm business viable.  The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies ESD13 and ESD15 of the Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 Part 1 and saved Policies AG2, C8 and C28 of the Cherwell Local Plan 1996 and government guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework.

2.               By virtue of its scale and siting, the proposal would result in harm to the setting of the listed buildings at Middle Farm.  This harm which would be 'less than substantial' is not outweighed by public benefits arising from the proposal.  The proposal is therefore contrary to Policy ESD15 of the Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 Part 1 and government guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework, including paragraph 196.