PLANNING bosses at Warrington are to consider, for a second time, an application from a farmer for a bungalow on his own land for his wife, who is suffering from a rare condition likely to result in a range of disabilities.
Members of the borough council’s planning committee have visited Mr John Cross’ Cliff Lane Farm, Cartridge Lane, Grappenhall since the application last came before them.
Officers are recommending the application be rejected because personal circumstances, no matter how compelling, should rarely, if ever, be considered sufficient to outweigh Green Belt policy.
One issue troubling councillors is that the site is only a short distance from the Cartridge Lane site where a group of gypsy families won permission on appeal for a caravan site in the Green Belt.
A report to the committee says Mr Cross’s wife has been diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) – a condition which can necessitate the immediate attention of family members.
Her condition is expected to continue without improvement for the rest of her life, with a progressive loss of mobility expected.
Mr Cross has applied for consent for a three bedroom bungalow because of the need to accommodate himself and his wife separately, together with an overnight carer.
The existing farmhouse is not suitable for conversion because the ground floor is on a number of levels with internal steps and also has steps leading into the house.
Other farm buildings are also unsuitable for conversions and there is a sloping, cobbled yard with would present difficulties for a disabled person.
Planners say it is a working farmyard – part of a large, arable farm – and it would not be appropriate for a disabled person to interface with farming operations. There is also no opportunity to create a garden or amenity land for the new property.
Planning officers say although there are compelling personal circumstances, national guidance is that these should rarely, if ever, be considered to amount to the very special circumstances required to over-ride Green Belt policy.
PLANNING bosses at Warrington are to consider, for a second time, an
application from a farmer for a bungalow on his own land for his wife,
who is suffering from a rare condition likely to result in a range of
disabilities.
Farmer's plea for disabled wife
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
4 Comments
Surely for the council to use the arguement that ” it would not be appropriate for a disabled person to interface with farming operations ” goes against discrimination and equality laws. Tut tut Mr council planner.
“Planning officers say although there are compelling personal circumstances, national guidance is that these should rarely, if ever, be considered to amount to the very special circumstances required to over-ride Green Belt policy.”
But Warrington Planners would accept wind turbines as ‘very special circumstances’ something other town’s planners do not!
I agree with Dizzy, for planners to make statements such as ” it would not be appropriate for a disabled person to interface with farming operations.” goes against disability discrimination and equality laws. Also this lady is part of a farming community and thus her particular cultural background merits some consideration. I find the planners statement “There is also no opportunity to create a garden or amenity land for the new property” quite baffling, especially when looking at the amount of Cell Block H type apartments without gardens that they have given planning permission for over the years!!!
Green Belt land is only Green Belt land when planners want it to be. What about the site at Walton?? That was Green Belt but the travellers were able to make this their spot. IT appears yet again to be they will stop law abiding people who go through the proper channels as they cannot or will not stop groups who just willy nilly flout the planning laws. About time something was sorted with these discrepancies.
Yes, Mandriam, “Green Belt land is only Green Belt land when planners want it to be”. – and planners in Warrington don’t seem to want Green Belt to be Green Belt any where near as much as planners in other towns – who can be seen to fiercely protect their precious green land! I also agree that it’s about time something was sorted – a proper investigation into the destruction of the planning records might be a start!!!