To the Members of the Planning Committee
Wychavon District Council
7 August 2013
Dear Sir or Madam
Objection to Housing Development in Bishampton (ref: 13/01094/OU)
Mr. W A Robertson, Nightingale Farm, Main Street, Bishampton
The purpose of this email is to consider the impact of Planning Application
W/13/01094/OU/ on my farm, Nightingale Farm.
As you know, the application is for No. 19 residential dwellings to be developed in the
village next to my farm. We have farmed here since 1971 developing a herd of pedigree
Aberdeen Angus cattle.
A detailed report has been produced on in liaison with Carver Knowles to consider planning
guidance on the location of houses next to the farm buildings but a summary of this is as
follows:
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The farming business at Nightingale Farm is a globally recognised cattle enterprise
producing high genetic value cattle and semen for sale to customers worldwide.
These sales are supported by an Elite Herd Status that this farm has been awarded.
A primary concern with regards to the application is the proximity of the dwellings to
the livestock buildings. The proposed development sees the closest dwelling at 37
metres and although a Bio security/landscape screen is proposed there is published
guidance which considers the proposal to be unacceptable.
We estimate that odour will be generated from the farm for about 7% of the year.
The proposed housing site is immediately downwind of the prevailing wind. Any
odour for more than 1% of the year should have an adequate buffer. The
recommended buffer width is 500 metres not 37 metres as proposed.
We estimate that unacceptable noise will be generated for 47% of the year. The
recommended buffer strip width for long term noise is a 500 metre wide strip not 37
metres as proposed.
Dust and particulates from the straw and bedding will also be carried over this
narrow buffer strip onto the new houses.
If I were to apply to put a livestock building next to houses it would almost certainly
be refused due to it being too close. This requirement has to work equally when
housing is proposed next to livestock buildings.
[Note: The above points are evidenced in the full report]
Cont’d…
2./
My objections are therefore:
1. The development will prejudice farm biosecurity to unacceptable levels and
risk the Elite Health Status.
2. The development will lead to unacceptable land use conflicts with Nightingale
Farm in terms of noise, odour and particulate pollution.
3. The proposed development has not considered if the land use conflicts can be
resolved and there has been no study to show that the mitigation measures
proposed would be successful (N.B. Any study would need to be over a 12
month period).
4. Policy GD2 of the Wychavon District Council Local Plan (General Development
Control – C) states that development should not affect the efficient operation
of land uses. Our analysis shows that the proposed development would
adversely affect the efficient operations of Nightingale Farm.
I would suggest that Government planning policy does not intend for conflicts like this to be
created from housing schemes. There has been no effective monitoring by the developer.
They have measured noise for 1 day in the spring when the buildings were virtually empty of
livestock.
I also suggest that a farm which has achieved high standards in terms of its genetic value
and which also makes an economic contribution deserves protecting and should not be put
at risk: to do this the development must be turned down.
Yours sincerely
W.A. Robertson
Nightingale Farm
Bishampton