Applicant Additional Information

Farm Background Following the death of Mark’s parents the family farm was split up. We found ourselves with 100 acres of land but no agricultural buildings/sheds and minimal farm machinery. Over the last few years we have tried to build up our farming business as and when we could afford to do so. We have purchased machinery and put up two storage buildings and have built up our grain and hay production to the point we have run out of storage.

• 1. Why is the new building needed? We recently increased our farm to 140 acres from 100 acres, which is all owned. Should this planning application be successful we plan to rent another 60 acres. We have only been growing 40 acres of barley at present because we do not have the storage capacity for any more grain. Some of the grain we are producing from the 40 acres has to be sold directly off the field at a lower price. We have no storage for straw or hay which needs to be stored in a barn. This again has to be sold off the field at a lower price.

The proposed new building would give us the capacity to store more grain and more than one variety. The height would mean trailers would be able to be tipped in the shed.

This means that with a dedicated dry grain store, we can use the area presently used for grain as an area to repair and store machinery. This would free up space in the higher barn for the storage of straw and hay.

• 2. Why has this particular site been chosen? As with the existing agricultural buildings the site has been chosen because the lower land is prone to flooding. This used to be a rare event but over the last few years has become more frequent.
• 3. What will it be used for? The new building is to be used as a dry secure grain store. The increased land means that we can grow more grain (barley and oats). Also to house a grain dryer and mill. The building will also be a secure store which we do not have at the present. This would enable us to install 3 phase power and create a secure chemical store.
• 4. Why are the existing buildings on the yard insufficient? The existing building which is used for storing grain is too small and too low for tipping trailers. We have tried to make the grain storage area as water tight as possible but with an easterly wind the rain gets driven into the building. The existing building is therefore not water tight.

The proposed new building would be used as a dry store for grain. This would free up space for the repair and storage of machinery in the existing lower barn. By moving machinery from the higher barn, space would be created in the higher barn for the storage of straw and hay which we do not have.

The bund is temporary to help shelter the yard and sheds from the easterly winds until the boundary hedge alongside the bund has become more established. If planning is approved the bund will not be needed because the building will create shelter for the yard and existing buildings.