Councillors Refuse ‘wholly inappropriate’ application to build six houses on a farm at Hackthorpe

A ‘wholly inappropriate’ application to build six houses on a farm has been denied by the council.

Plans were entered to build four new houses and convert a barn into two homes at Town End Farm in the hamlet of Hackthorpe near Penrith.

It would have seen applicant Lowther Farming Partnership also remove ‘several’ agricultural buildings to accommodate the four new build houses.

But the plans received numerous objections from members of the public, environmental health, the parish council and even from the tenant of the farm.

The Eden local area planning committee on May 6 considered whether or not to approve the proposals.

It had previously been recommended for refusal by a council planning officer, although they recognised the benefit that more housing would bring.

But they said the proximity of the new housing to a working livestock farm would be ‘highly unsatisfactory’ and ‘very likely to result in an unacceptable level of disamenity’ for future residents.

The planner added this would likely lead to complaints about the working of the farm, thus causing the tenant farmer to change their working practices, bringing the viability of the operation ‘into question’.

A Mr Hutchinson addressed the committee on behalf of the farm’s tenant, raising issues of the location being inappropriate, the likelihood of statutory nuisance complaints if the housing were built, risks to children with close-by agricultural activity and other points.

Nicola Estill then spoke on behalf of Lowther Parish Council, with their objections including adverse living conditions for residents, the loss of stable buildings having led to the closure of a fell pony business and a loss of farming ‘cultural heritage’.

Mr Addis then spoke on behalf of the applicant. The agent said the issues raised by the council and objectors ‘could be mitigated against’, that operations at the farm being intensive had been ‘overstated’ and that environmental health, which objected, had only spoken to the tenant farmer.

Councillor Colin Atkinson of Hesket and Lazonby called the application ‘wholly inappropriate’ for the proposed location.

The Conservative representative added that there was a ‘need’ to defend farming communities in the area.

Councillor Mary Robinson of Alston and Fellside and of the independent and Green group also questioned the need for housing on an agricultural site.

Representatives voted to refuse the application.

By Zach Harrison Local Democracy Reporter