No need for formal planning application to build barn near Forden
There is no need for a farmer on the Powys/Shropshire border near Welshpool to submit a planning application to build a new barn.
The proposals was put before the planning committee at their meeting on Thursday, October 1 because the applicants J and H Corfield are relatives of Councillor Linda Corfield.
Councillor Corfield declared an interest and logged out of the meeting while the item was being discussed.
Planning officer, Gwyn Humphreys, said: “It’s an agricultural prior notification for the erection of a new agricultural building at Ackley Farm near Forden.
“The applications is before members as a local member is involved in the application.
“While Councillor Corfield has subsequently explained that she is no longer involved in the running of the agricultural business.
“Given that her name is included in the application form, officers consider it necessary in line with the council’s constitution and the planning procedures for the application to be considered by the committee.
“The notification is made to determine whether full planning permission is needed for the construction of an agriculture building for the storage of fodder and farming implements.”
Mr Humphreys said that the location was 550 metres west of the border with Shropshire, and would be to the east of the existing farm complex.
It would be 24.4 metres in length, 18.6 metres in width giving an floor area of 454 square metres.
Mr Humphreys added that as the farm is 80 hectares in area, it did benefit from being allowed permitted development rights.
He said that the proposal “met all of the criteria” set out in schedule 6, part 6 class A of the Town and Country Planning, general permitted development order 1995.
Councillor Les George said: “This is a development for a successful farm, in open countryside, by a young farmer in the industry keen to take the farm forward.
“I propose we approve the application.”
Councillor Gareth Jones added : “I echo the words Cllr George has said, this would not be before us if a family member not been a councillor.
Cllr Jones seconded the proposal which was backed unanimously by all 14 councillors.
