A LONG-running planning saga over the use of land at Warrington as an alpaca farm could be nearing its conclusion.
Proposals for a permanent home for an essential farmworker to care for the alpacas have been put to Warrington Borough Council planners.
The scheme involves Woodlands Alpaca Farm, in Stockport Road, Thelwall and has been submitted by The Egerton Trust.
The farmworker’s residence – a mobile home – is already in place but only has temporary planning consent for a period of three years. The new application is for a permanent planning consent.
Planning consent for a field shelter for up to 12 alpacas was originally granted in 2014. Later an application for a second shelter for the breeding of alpacas was also granted.
But in 2020 the borough council refused an application for the essential farmworker’s residence on the grounds that it was inappropriate development in the Green Belt.
The following year, however, it was granted on appeal – and since then the site has been removed from the Green Belt with the publication of the Warrington Local Plan.
Now the Egerton Trust is seeking permission for the planning consent to be made permanent. They point out that the dwelling has been in place for three years without issue or complaint.
They suggest the development would not be appropriate even if the site was still in the Green Belt.
The new proposal is now being considered by council planning officers.
