Farm shed could face demolition

John Penny and Sons want permission to retain the cattle shed, extend it and put up a detached sheep shed at Low Green Farm on Leeds Road in Rawdon near Leeds.

A report to members of Leeds City Council's plans panel west says although permissions were given to the farmer for a shed, investigations show it was built 76 per cent longer and has a floor area nearly 2.4 times greater than originally allowed.

The report says: "The application is reported to panel because of the size of the development and the fact that the existing structure has been erected without planning permission."

The extension will allow the farm to increase its animal rearing capacity. It can currently hold 300 cattle, but with the extension it will be able to hold between 100 and 150 more.

Objectors to the proposal, due to be considered by members when they meet on Thursday, argue a large industrial building is not in keeping with the surrounding area as it will hit the value of adjacent property and will increase what is already a massive structure.

Officials are recommending that councillors reject the application.

The report adds:"The existing and proposed development, due to its size, location and design has a detrimental impact on the visual amenities and openness of the green belt and the character and appearance of the Woodhall/Calverley/Cragg Wood/Hunger Hills Special Landscape Area. The proposed extension and additional building will exacerbate this impact.

"It is considered that the existing unauthorised and the proposed developments are unacceptable as a result of the impact on the openness and visual amenities of the green belt; the effect on the character and appearance of the Special Landscape Area and the countryside. It is therefore recommended for refusal."

Council officers say the existing building is visible from close and long distance viewpoints around the site.

From more distant locations the building appears: "as a very large linear feature which is overdominant in the landscape," the report says.

It adds: "From Leeds Road itself the long roof of the building is clearly visible against the panoramic long distance views to the Pennines.

"The building as constructed is much larger than that approved by the city council, which taking account of the two planning permissions granted was to be a total of 90m long by 18m.

"The building as constructed is 158.6 metres long x 24.5 metres wide and has a floor area of 3885m2. The building as constructed is therefore 76 per cent greater in length than that approved and has a floor area nearly 2.4 times greater."

The building to be extended is a large, modern detached cattle shed located to the south of Leeds Road, on the hillside overlooking the Aire Valley.

The same company owns a nearby abattoir and Low Green Farm. As well as the abattoir, the firm says the farm comprises about 120 hectares of land of which 100 is used for grazing sheep and cattle and the balance is in arable use.

The company said the shed extension is needed because housing all livestock under cover during the winter is a requirement of the farm payments scheme. It is hoped this would help the firm meet farm assured status, a food standard demonstrating quality production techniques.