Planners reject scheme at farm near Alresford (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Planners reject scheme at farm near Alresford

12:54pm Friday 30th December 2011 in Alresford By Joseph Curtis

WINCHESTER City Council has refused a farmer permission to build a new on-site dwelling.

Sarah Jackson had proposed to build a home for an agricultural worker on her property, Goscombe Farm, in Gundleton, near Bighton.

Ms Jackson told a council planning committee the new house was necessary so a worker could be close enough to livestock to prevent any problems including animal death.

She said: “Unnecessary livestock losses have a substantial financial impact on the sustainability of the whole business. One permanent dwelling adjacent to the livestock buildings would allow an immediate response to any difficulties.”

Although Bighton Parish Council supported the application, planning officers recommended the committee refuse it, arguing the existing accommodation on the farm was close enough to deal with any animal-related incidents.

Councillors agreed and said other security measures like CCTV could be used as opposed to a new dwelling.

Cllr Robert Johnston said: “I do not think it has been proven that there is a need for this and I think the CCTV option is the obvious way forward.”

The committee refused the plans by 11 votes to one.