PLANNING chiefs at Warrington have refused consent for a permanent agricultural worker’s home at a Lymm farm.
They claim the building would have a harmful impact on the Green Belt.
Farmer Kirk Robertson had sought permission for the permanent dwelling on his 15-acre farm in Higher Lane to replace an existing temporary building occupied by a worker to protect a flock of hens.
He argued that the temporary building – a mobile home – was unsatisfactory
Some three years ago, the borough council refused permission for the temporary building but Mr Robertson appealed and got the decision overturned.
But he still argued that the mobile home was unsatisfactory – and sought permission for a permanent building.
Now borough planners have again said “No”
Mr Robertson has 120 breeding hens, including 20 cockerels, 400 laying hens and 700 hens in a growing flock to be sold as point-of-lay pullets. He wishes to expand. He says a key worker living within sight and sound of the birds is able to see or hear an incident, remove or resolve the source and take immediate action to minimise injury in a situation where a delay of only a few minutes could mean the difference between life or death for an animal.
