A DEVELOPMENT will be built on a farm in the Meon Valley after plans were approved.

Six new buildings were approved for Selhurst Poultry Farm, Heath Road in Soberton, near Bishop's Waltham.

The application, submitted by a Mr Barney, was voted for unanimously by Winchester City Council's planning committee.

Five of the new buildings will be for storage use, with one to be used as an office.

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The site is separated from the adjoining residential properties by mature trees, hedges and a drainage ditch.

Whilst the site is within the countryside, it is an established employment site used for industrial purposes for many years.

The plan was brought before the planning committee because it had received seven letters of objection.

Representing the objectors was Nick Wallis. He said: “I am happy with the development, however I am concerned with the size of it. The amount of extra traffic the building would generate will cause anxiety on the roads.”

Ian Donohue, agent for the applicant, explained that the site used to have chicken sheds and that permission was recently granted remove some old buildings and have new and replacement ones on site.

Mr Donohue said: “The buildings are timber clad to reflect the countryside location and existing buildings. The key benefits are improved layout on the site, it's further from residential properties and improved landscaping. I ask you to support this proposal and permit this application.”

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Concerns were raised by councillors about the drainage at the site.

Cllr Frank Pearson said: “Drainage in this county is an issue. If drainage is allowed to silt up without a management plan, it will create issues down stream at Newtown. It's important that the ditches are maintained.”

Cllr Jane Rutter was very supportive of the proposal. She said: “I think it will be a significant improvement on the existing site. The new buildings have a much more attractive layout and I think it's a good use of the site. The new conditions attached to this development significantly improve what is going to be built there. The traffic management, the track, the access road, the landscaping and the bio-diversity will improve it.”

Cllr Pearson added: “Employment is always welcome is a village, so any addition like this is very favourable.”

 

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