Michael Eavis planning for new shed for dairy expansion turned down after 20 objections

[JP1]

Glastonbury Festival organiser Michael Eavis refused permission for new barn to expand dairy farm
Around 20 residents had objected to the plans

By
Daniel MumbyLocal Democracy Reporter

• 10:37, 20 JUN 2019

Michael Eavis with his dairy herd at Worthy Farm, which hosts Glastonbury Festival
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Somerset's best known farmer has been narrowly refused permission to build a new cattle barn near the farm that hosts Glastonbury Festival.

Michael Eavis applied to build a new Dutch barn on the north side of Pylle Road in Pilton, north of the main Worthy Farm site.


Mr Eavis intended to use the building to house cattle and store feed as part of a plan to expand his herd.

Mendip District Council's planning board refused the plans, arguing it was in the wrong place and amounted to building in open countryside.

Around 20 residents had objected to the plans before the board met in Shepton Mallet on Wednesday evening (June 19).

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Nick Hall, who lives around 200 metres from the site, said the plans had caused "widespread concern in the village" due to the building's size and location.


He said: "Several agricultural barns have been approved at Worthy Farm. It is very unlikely that this building will help the economics of the farm, and it doesn't provide additional benefits for the community.

"This building is totally out of scale - it is massive, 46 metres by 46 metres. It will have a significant visual impact - a two-metre hedge will not shield an 11.5-metre building. It degrades the landscape near the village."

Michael Eavis at Worth Farm
Dick Skidmore, a former councillor who has farmed in the area for 37 years, said there was no need for the new building from a farming point of view.

He said: "This new site is miles away from Worthy Farm. The access is appalling on that road, particularly at this time of year.

"There is no farming need for these buildings. You've got 400 cows and all the ancillary buildings on Worthy Farm in a good situation - it's just making Pilton a no-go area for the normal residents.

"It's a lovely green area. If there's a need to create a new farmstead I'd understand it, but there is no need."

The milking cows are kept in the Worthy Farm "Moo-tel" during Glastonbury Festival
Planning agent Dan Foster - representing Mr Eavis - responded that the farm would be increasing its number of cattle in the near-future, with the new building designed to "separate dairy cows from dry cows".

He said: "Worthy Farm is at its heart a large-scale dairy unit, with 430 dairy cows. This is anticipated to increase to 500 cows going forward.

"The location of the new building will reduce the need for farm vehicles to travel to the far reaches of the farm.

"This is a successful farm which benefits the local economy and is a local employer."

Councillor Nigel Hewitt-Cooper - whose ward includes Worthy Farm - questioned whether putting the barn on the north side of Pylle Road was the best idea.

He said: "I feel it would be better if it was on the southern side of the road. Pylle Road can be fast.

"To have to take livestock back and forth across that, I think it would be an unnecessary danger to both vehicles and pedestrians.

"It's not the principle that people have concerns with me - it's more the position on the other side of the road and the impact that would have on the open countryside."

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Councillor Damon Hooton, who chairs the planning board, added: "I don't think people are against the building - it's where it is."

Councillor Matthew Martin, however, argued: "In my inexperienced mind, surely it's better to have cows going over that road for half an hour at a time, rather than have a tractor moving up and down the country lanes?"

The committee voted by a margin of six votes to five on the grounds of its "detrimental" impact on the open countryside.

Glastonbury Festival said it did not wish to comment on the proposal.

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news...Gpux7B8uRCHZ3NGuJamsobHJbn9wYl7A_9uHugtW1BupI

 

[Roger Perry]

Seems strange that someone totally unconnected to the farm can object and state that it will not help the economic viability of the operation............how can that be and how do they know what the economic effect will be...........and to me living in the U.S. these objectors have no knowledge of the farmers finances yet it seems they have more power and influence...............you guys' sure do have a lot of crap to deal with.

 

[JP1]

Seems strange that someone totally unconnected to the farm can object and state that it will not help the economic viability of the operation............how can that be and how do they know what the economic effect will be...........and to me living in the U.S. these objectors have no knowledge of the farmers finances yet it seems they have more power and influence...............you guys' sure do have a lot of crap to deal with.

Don't forget in this instance there's some history (largely settled ) with the Glastonbury Festival that is sited on this farm and everything that goes with that

 

[kiwi pom]

Seems strange that someone totally unconnected to the farm can object and state that it will not help the economic viability of the operation............how can that be and how do they know what the economic effect will be...........and to me living in the U.S. these objectors have no knowledge of the farmers finances yet it seems they have more power and influence...............you guys' sure do have a lot of crap to deal with.

The UK is just too overcrowded and getting worse (I’m here at the moment) local neighbours are much more local than they are in the US, farmers have to share space with non farmers. If someone wanted to build a large dairy shed a few metres from your house, your response would be?

 

[Roger Perry]

Think it said 200 meters, so 260 yds from residence,,,,,,,,,,,,,,the building described as "massive" was just 150 ft square...........hardly massive was it..?

Think there may be a backstory to this saga, this guy has become successful in another direction apart from farming his farm, now remembering back to the way it was when I lived in U.K........... so in true British fashion the knives will be out to bring him down.........cannot have some upstart making $$$millions.........got to know your place.

Like the man said.......if your brand new Ferrari was parked at the kerbside on a U.S.street there would be admiring onlookers wondering what they could do to afford the same or better.

If your brand new Ferrari were parked on a street in U.K. you would worry that it would be keyed/smashed..

 

[Kidds]

the building described as "massive" was just 150 ft square...........hardly massive was it..?

46x46metres, half an acre.
We’re always hearing how big things are over there Roger but a half acre cow shed must be very nearly “massive”.

 

[Roger Perry]

I can relate to the size as I actually built one that size in 2018, (150 x 150) after a while of looking at it..............it kind of did not look so large.

 

[devonboy]

saw a cow shed in germany recently and that one was 6 acres, they had several other ones as well,

 

[Kidds]

I can relate to the size as I actually built one that size in 2018, (150 x 150) after a while of looking at it..............it kind of did not look so large.

I mistakenly read your post as 150 square feet.
It’s not Empire State Building massive, but it would have a big impact in a rural spot of our cluttered isle.
I am relatively isolated here but reckon I will struggle even if I ask for 150 square feet.

 

[Roger Perry]

If we need to put up a farm structure here in Colorado its advised to get a building permit from the county ($50-00) this is a mere formality, non of the hassle you guys' have to endure getting "permission" to build on your own land..

 

[An Gof]

If we need to put up a farm structure here in Colorado its advised to get a building permit from the county ($50-00) this is a mere formality, non of the hassle you guys' have to endure getting "permission" to build on your own land..

In the UK you need permission to wipe your own nose

 

[David.]

It is not our own land, we get to carry out approved operations on it, as long as they are sanctioned by other "stakeholders".

 

[JP1]

It is not our own land, we get to carry out approved operations on it, as long as they are sanctioned by other "stakeholders".

I love that expression "stakeholders"

The other one is "agencies"

If it is successful or needs social media or other publicity it's described as a "multi-agency approach"

If there is culpability or a cluster fk then "all agencies involved can learn from this for the future"

 

[David.]

"Going forwards" is the phrase you are looking for.

 

[kiwi pom]

Think it said 200 meters, so 260 yds from residence,,,,,,,,,,,,,,the building described as "massive" was just 150 ft square...........hardly massive was it..?

Think there may be a backstory to this saga, this guy has become successful in another direction apart from farming his farm, now remembering back to the way it was when I lived in U.K........... so in true British fashion the knives will be out to bring him down.........cannot have some upstart making $$$millions.........got to know your place.

Like the man said.......if your brand new Ferrari was parked at the kerbside on a U.S.street there would be admiring onlookers wondering what they could do to afford the same or better.

If your brand new Ferrari were parked on a street in U.K. you would worry that it would be keyed/smashed..

I’m not saying it’s right it was turned down just that population means things are done differently in the UK and people have a right to object.
I’d say from driving around Cheshire this week that planning isn’t exactly hard to get these days.
So you’d be happy for a new dairy unit 200 metres from your bedroom, with all the extra traffic driving right by your window?
If you’re brand new Ferrari were parked in Chicago someone would shoot you in the face and take it from you.

 

[kfpben]

‘Stakeholders’ aka a collection of various interfering busy bodies, often with axes to grind and agendas to pursue. Many of whom will take any action necessary to prevent you conducting your own business as you see fit.

 

[FonterraFarmer]

The UK is just too overcrowded and getting worse (I’m here at the moment) local neighbours are much more local than they are in the US, farmers have to share space with non farmers. If someone wanted to build a large dairy shed a few metres from your house, your response would be?

Funny thing is in BC Canada I've seen farm dairys quite often less than 100m from houses without any problems, seems odd that it's even a problem in the UK.​

 

[FonterraFarmer]

I love that expression "stakeholders"

The other one is "agencies"

If it is successful or needs social media or other publicity it's described as a "multi-agency approach"

If there is culpability or a cluster fk then "all agencies involved can learn from this for the future"

Not forgetting NGO's, or more commonly known as interfering pansies with an agenda.

 

[Roger Perry]

I’m not saying it’s right it was turned down just that population means things are done differently in the UK and people have a right to object.
I’d say from driving around Cheshire this week that planning isn’t exactly hard to get these days.
So you’d be happy for a new dairy unit 200 metres from your bedroom, with all the extra traffic driving right by your window?
If you’re brand new Ferrari were parked in Chicago someone would shoot you in the face and take it from you.

I think if you had a new Ferrari parked in the windy city the boyz from the hood would be looking out for it..!

On the building thing I guess living as I do in the U.S. I have got used to how seriously property rights are taken, indeed the right to ownership of real property is assured under the constitution..........while property can be taken under "eminent domain" for a highway or such, its' hell's own job to make it happen.

 

[Chae1]

Councillor Dick Skidmore, name says it all.