Agenda item

To determine the application.

Kimberley Crow presented the report to members.

Members received a presentation, in accordance with the public participation procedure, from Jonathan Malings, the agent. Mr Malings stated that Allpress Farms is a fifth generation family run Fenland business, farming in the region since the early 1900s, employing over 100 full-time staff and around 130 seasonal workers during the busy harvest months, with these jobs held primarily by local residents with operations on the farm supporting many local businesses and the business currently grows around 10,000 tonnes of leeks each year supplying major UK retailers. He made the point that the leek season runs for just 44 weeks leaving an 8 week gap where produce must either be imported or stored and, as with all rural businesses, Allpress Farms are seeing a tougher economic climate to provide what consumers and suppliers require, fresh local produce all year, whilst reducing their carbon footprint and providing a sustainable business model.

Mr Malings stated that the new cold store will allow the farm to keep production British, storing their own crops on site, reducing the need for the current imports from Spain to meet demand, with the cold store reducing the circa 40 lorries required currently to undertake the 3,000-mile trip from Spain each year to meet demand. He expressed the opinion that from a policy perspective the proposal aligns fully with both national and local planning policy, with the NPPF encouraging the sustainable growth and diversification of rural businesses, and it complies with the Local Plan policies LP6, 12 and 14, which promote rural enterprises, local employment and renewable energy use.

Mr Malings stated that the building will be powered directly by renewable energy from the farm’s anaerobic digestion plant, significantly reducing its carbon footprint, with the digestion plant being powered by leek production from the farm and by products used on the farm. He expressed the view that the proposal has been designed to minimise impact with landscaping and new tree planting is proposed to integrate the building into the landscape, which will deliver a biodiversity net gain of over 15% with lighting limited to when the site is in use.

Mr Malings referred to traffic and access, appreciating the importance of maintaining road safety and currently the leek harvested are transported off site to Chatteris for storage, a round trip that generates approximately 200 vehicle movements per year and once the new store is built these journeys will no longer be necessary meaning a reduction in overall traffic to the current farm along the highway at the busiest period of the site which is to be used for storage expected to need only three deliveries a day. He added to improve safety further they are proposing a new access point, which will meet modern highway design standards and they welcome the acceptance of their proposal for access and traffic management to the site by Highways.

Mr Malings expressed the view that environmentally the scheme is designed to the highest standards, and a sustainable drainage system will manage runoff to the building and yard areas using an attenuation lagoon designed for a 1 in a 100-year storm event plus a 40% climate change allowance. He stated that a Flood Risk Assessment confirms the site lies primarily in Flood Zone 1 and all necessary mitigation is in place and the ecological survey shows that no significant impact on protected species and details the landscaping plan will enhance local habitats and the visual character of the site.

Mr Malings expressed the opinion that by supporting the scheme the Council would be backing local employment, a Fenland business, safeguarding over 200 seasonal and full-time jobs, encouraging low carbon renewable power, food production and reducing import dependency in food miles. He continued that Allpress Farms have worked closely with officers and specialist consultants to create a design that delivers measurable environmental, social and economic benefits and fully aligns with both local and national policies and asked committee to support the application.

Members asked questions of Mr Malings as follows:

·       Councillor Imafidon asked for clarification that there are no runoffs to the public drains and it is an attenuation pond? Mr Malings confirmed that it is an attenuation pond that will manage the runoff.

·       Councillor Gerstner asked for confirmation that if the committee granted planning permission that they can comply with all the conditions that officers have recommended? Mr Malings responded that conditions that they have seen currently regarding requirements on the construction of access and management of the build will be complied with.

·       Councillor Gerstner asked if the facility is built will it be a 24-hour operation? Mr Malings stated that at the busiest period it is a store and it is predicted there will be three deliveries going in and out all day. He added that at the lower period of the season it may be two deliveries and when it is not in use it will just be storing. Councillor Gerstner asked if this will be seven days a week? The applicant stated that 60% of the movements are going to be between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday and occasionally on Saturdays from 7am until 12 Noon.

Members made comments, asked questions and received responses as follows:

·       Councillor Benney stated that he knows the site well, it is halfway between Chatteris and Manea and lies adjacent to his ward. He made the point that Allpress Farms are big employers in the town, they are a big farm and as with all agriculture it takes precedent in this area being an agricultural area and Nightlayer Leek Company is no longer in business and hopefully this proposal will bring stability to the leek market and ensure leeks are grown locally. Councillor Benney expressed the view that it is a policy compliant application, and he is pleased to see the reduction in traffic movements locally, which will add to road safety. He stated that he sees nothing wrong with this application, it is a local business and a big supporter of local employment and feels it should be approved.

·       Councillor Mrs French stated that she fully supports the application, and it is nice to see farmers investing, bearing in mind what they have gone through over the last 18 months.

Proposed by Councillor Benney, seconded by Councillor Mrs French and agreed that the application be GRANTED as per the officer’s recommendation.

(Councillor Marks declared that one of the directors is known to him via another business and took no part in the discussion and voting thereon)