Farm allowed to store more stock despite more than 50 objections

A farm has been allowed to store more varied goods in a refrigerator despite over 50 objections from members of the public.

JD Robinson and Sons of North Drove applied for change of use planning permission to turn one building from ‘agricultural coldstore to mixed agricultural coldstore and storage of third party agricultural products.’

Speaking on behalf of the company at last night (Wednesday’s) meeting of South Holland District Council Planning Committee, Lewis Smith, said the application related to 15 per cent of the site: “When it’s known the building is likely to be under utilised the applicant will store third party produce such as oranges, grapes, and broccoli.

“It’s only for part of the year and for six to eight weeks in total.

“It’s at worse (an extra) 15 HGV movements in and 15 out a week which pales into insignificance compared to the traffic levels of other uses along North Drove.

“My client is trying to make the best use of one of his buildings at a limited time of the year at a level which is barely discernible beyond the site boundary.”

South Holland and the Deepings MP Sir John Hayes objected alongside 50 objections from the public with concerns including increased lorry journeys and its effect on local roads.

Local resident Joanna Gadd spoke in opposition to the application stating: “Since March 2020 I’ve logged a thousand lorry movements a month.”

But there were no objections from Highways, South Holland District Council’s Environmental Protection nor ward councillors while Quadring Parish Council supported the proposal.

Coun Allan Beale said before the application was unanimously voted through: “While having sympathy with local residents there, it’s more often than not the parish councils that know what’s happening in an area.”