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Proposed agricultural development causes a stir in Leckhampstead




West Berkshire Council (WBC) is currently reviewing plans for a contentious agricultural development in Leckhampstead.

CYO Seeds applied for permission in December to replace redundant farm buildings on land opposite Nightingale Farm, Wantage Road, with new agricultural barns to accommodate a workshop, office and associated vehicle storage for an agricultural seed processing business.

The proposal also includes seasonal worker accommodation, solar panels, eight car parking spaces and two disabled spaces – bringing the total to 13 – and external lighting on land east of Wantage Road.

Site of the proposed new barn in Leckhampstead
Site of the proposed new barn in Leckhampstead

A consultation with Environmental Health raised concerns about HGV movements taking place directly opposite a residential property at antisocial hours and asked whether the applicant would agree to restrict vehicle operating times to between 7am and 7pm.

Highways called the application site “unsustainable” and said the proposal would increase traffic in a remote rural location which has no nearby pedestrian or bus routes.

The district’s senior archaeologist also requested that no demolition or development take place until the applicant has agreed to commission a programme of archaeological supervision during the excavation of the foundations and any related groundworks.

They added systematic metal detecting should be used in the event of any significant finds.

A spokesperson for Leckhampstead Parish Council said: “The applicant appears to have gone to some length to reduce the visual impact.

“However, the parish council is concerned by the potential light pollution from the large amount of lighting across the site.

“While this is said largely to be controlled by timers to operational hours, we would ask WBC to consider conditions to protect the night environment and the dark skies from which we benefit.

“Similarly, the low levels of noise pollution suggested by the proposal might also be protected by conditions.”

3-D designs for the proposed new barn
3-D designs for the proposed new barn

Residents are also objecting to the proposal on the similar grounds of harm to visual scenery, increased risk to road safety and noise and light pollution.

John Duffield, who farms land to the north and east of the proposed site, is urging the council to reject the application.

CMS, an international law firm acting on behalf of Mr Duffield and Marcham Farms – which farms the land north and east of the site – wrote to WBC expressing its concerns over the proposal.

“It is the primary responsibility of the council as the local planning authority to comply with their statutory duty to seek to further the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the AONB [Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty],” it said.

It continued: “The planning application fails to demonstrate that the proposals are in line with planning policy, will conserve and enhance the AONB, and will successfully mitigate any negative effects arising from issues such as light pollution, views and traffic impacts, all of which are detrimental to the tranquillity of the AONB.”

But not all residents are against the proposal.

John Gent said: “This business is vital to the local farming community.

“Without CYO, I would no longer be able to get seed cleaned and dressed locally.”

Victoria Brown added: “We are farmers and believe the company putting in this application provide a hugely beneficial service to many farms and farmers both locally as well as further afield.”

The council is expected to decide on the application by Wednesday, March 20.

Find out about planning applications that affect you at the Public Notice Portal.



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