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New farm building approved in Cannock green belt

Councillors have given the go-ahead for a new storage building in the green belt – despite officers recommending the plan should be refused permission.

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An aerial view of Court Bank Farm in Cannock Wood. Photo: Google

The 390 sq m unit earmarked for Court Bank Farm at Slang Lane, Cannock Wood, was deemed an “inappropriate building” in the green belt.

The site is also within the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), and the AONB Unit raised a number of issues including the development’s effect on the landscape and the potential impact of removing trees.

Cannock Chase Council’s planning committee previously considered the application in August, when members heard that the building was needed to store hay and bedding for 58 horses at the farm.

They deferred their decision to allow council officers to discuss the design of the proposal with the applicant.

On Wednesday the application returned to the committee, which heard that the plans had been amended.

A report to the committee said: “Following a meeting with the applicant, alternative materials and designs were discussed including the cladding of the building in timber and/or the provision of a green roof.

“The applicant, having considered the potential design solutions, has commented that timber cladding would require too much maintenance and would appear at odds and out of keeping with the existing buildings on the site.

"A green roof would require more substantial footings depth that would impact upon trees and vegetation around the periphery of the site.

“The applicant has therefore provided amended plans which indicate green concrete panels to the lower sections of the building, green box profiled steel cladding to the upper sections of the building and a grey roof and a landscaping plan to include tree protection and planting plan.

"The applicant has also alluded to various other buildings in the area which have used materials that are similar to the ones proposed.

“Officers are of the opinion that, on balance, the proposal is acceptable in respect to its design.”

Concerns

There were still concerns about the plans in the area however.

Ward councillor Andrea Muckley told the meeting about the impact of concrete production on the environment, including water use and carbon dioxide emissions.

She said: “A few weeks ago we declared a climate emergency and we said we would be carbon neutral by 2030, which will make a difference to Cannock Chase and the world. Concrete is not an environmentally friendly substance.

“We have a responsibility to Cannock Wood and Cannock Chase to uphold what we voted for. We need to look at the environmental impact of every decision we make.

“There seem to be only minor changes to the application that have been made – these are the moving of the building one metre and a tree report. It’s out of keeping with the rest of the site.”

But committee members vote to approve the application.

Councillor Zaphne Stretton said: “The questions that we put to our officers and to the developers have all been answered. It’s the opinion of our officers on balance the proposal is acceptable, in respect to its design and everything else.”

Councillor Paul Fisher said: “I agree we should accept it. We have asked for improvements and they have given us the improvements we wanted.”

Councillor Alan Pearson said: “They need this, otherwise they wouldn’t ask for it – they need it to store hay for the horses. It’s not swimming baths.”

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