Torridge accused of not supporting farmers

'Shameful' rejection of one plan

Torridge planners have been accused of not supporting the agricultural industry after turning down a proposal by new farmers for temporary accommodation on their land.

One councillor described the plans committee’s actions as “shameful”.

A retrospective application for two mobile homes fort a temporary rural workers’ dwelling at Rydon Lane, Holsworthy was made to Torridge District Council, along with the installation of shipping containers, storage shed, solar panels and a polytunnel.

The plans committee was told that the applicants had acquired 17 acres in 2021 and hoped to create a business with lambs and calves over the next three years, with the intention to rear 600 calves eventually.

At the end of that time they hoped to be able to justify planning consent for a permanent dwelling.

But the scheme was refused on the advice of officers.

They said the applicants had been given permission for an agricultural shed  on condition that the shipping containers would be removed, and that had not happened.

They said a double caravan with extensions had been in place for months and been the subject of enforcement action.

And they said the applicants had been given  “ample” time to come up with more information for their agricultural appraisal to justify their application to live in the countryside, but it had not materialised.

Cllr Ken James (Ind, Milton and Tamarside) urged planners to give their support: “The reality in farming is that it is almost impossible for young people to get started. If we are going to have a productive rural economy we need to start thinking how we can do that.”

Cllr Chris Leather (Ind, Northam) said farming isn’t easy and to not support these people “beggars belief”.

“This is a temporary permission for three years and gives them a chance to make a success of the enterprise. At that time they will have to come back to this authority to seek a permanent dwelling.

“These young people have taken on some fields and want to establish an agricultural business and for us to not be supporting them is shameful. This is so disappointing.”

But other councillors said it would have been better had the applicants applied for planning permission before they put the mobile homes on site.

Cllr Kit Hepple (Ind, Milton and Tamarside) said he agreed with the officers and this was “development by stealth”.

Pyworthy Parish Council strongly opposed the application saying: “The applicant has blatantly ignored the planning process by siting multiple mobile homes and storage containers, along with generators being run 24/7.

“No business plan has been provided, and numbers of stock given do not justify the accommodation on site. The council feels strongly that all conditions for agricultural workers dwellings must be met, which is not the case here.”