Concern has been raised about a plan to put a housing development “in the middle of a working farm” at Hackthorpe, near Penrith.
Lowther Farming Partnership is seeking approval from Westmorland and Furness Council for the erection of seven houses and the conversion of a traditional barn to create two homes, including associated operations on land at Town End Farm, which is also the home of Dianne Sayer’s successful horse racing stables.
Eyebrows have been raised about how the proposed site has been described in a supporting statement prepared on behalf of the applicant by Addis Town Planning.
In particular, reference is made that planning permission is sought for the redevelopment of a “former farmyard area”, including the demolition of a number of buildings.
The planning statement adds: “The proposal would result in the tidying up of a redundant and disused site in the middle of the village of Hackthorpe.”
However, it has been pointed out that the proposed site encompasses 12 of Dianne Sayer’s 19 stables, also a feed room, a tack shed, a rug room, a treadmill and shavings storage area, all which are maintained and in use every day.
Going back 50 years, Town End Farm was one of four farms in the village. Now it is the last one remaining.
Andrew Sayer, who has 85 cattle and 2,000 ewes breeding fat lambs, said his late father was just one year old when he came to Town End Farm, which means the family has had the tenancy of the farm for 94 years.
“We have never felt so low and unsupported,” said Mr Sayer.
He said if the proposed housing was built, some of the properties would only be about 12 metres from cubicle housing that can hold up to 125 cattle.
It would be noisy at their 5-30am feeding time, and as working farmers the Sayers believe they would also be bound to get complaints about dogs barking and vehicle movements.
“We work daylight hours, so during the summer you can be starting at 5am and finishing at 10pm, this is the thing that people do not realise. It is a working environment, it is not a leisure environment.
“It is simply not suitable to put housing developments into the middle of a working farm,” said Dianne Sayer.
As part of justification for the proposal, the applicant’s supporting statement says: “The provision of nine new homes would add to the local housing stock and would be an important contribution of smaller sized houses.
“The principle of converting traditional buildings is supported by the Local Plan. The principle of providing new dwellings in smaller villages and hamlets such as Hackthorpe is also supported.”
Lowther Farming Partnership was approached by the Herald for comment.
