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£1million Fleet farm expansion approved despite objection from neighbour




A £1million farm expansion has been approved - despite complaints that it would impact on residents in a grade two listed building nearby.

Mill House Farm will be building a new 2,128sqm potato store on its site in Roman Bank, Fleet.

It won approval from councillors on South Holland District Council’s planning committee on Wednesday.

Mill House Farm in Roman Bank, Fleet. Photo: Google Maps
Mill House Farm in Roman Bank, Fleet. Photo: Google Maps

Lewis Smith spoke on behalf of the applicant and said the new store would allow the business to grow and would mark nearly £1 million investment - plus would bring added work for local contractors.

He said the traffic impact would be ‘dwarfed’ when compared to the vehicle movements required for nearby QV Foods.

Resident Richard Lane, who lives in the Mill House, said the plan would have a noise, light, smell and visual impact on his home, which he said would be ‘silhouetted’.

He said: “Surely it’s better to consider an alternative location so to minimise the effect on our heritage asset and its local resident neighbours.”

He also said the site had been used late into the night and questioned the proposed hours of use.

Members heard the business has permission to operate for its current work and that it would be difficult to impose an hours restriction now. Any rules could only apply to the new building and officers said it would be difficult to enforce what was happening in this structure alone.

Coun Roger Gambba-Jones said: “I do have every sympathy with people in that situation. They are probably trying to control something they have been suffering historically by trying to get us to do something about this situation, which is understandable to a point. Regrettably we can’t do that, it’s just not feasible.”

He said on balance he was willing to support it - saying the firm’s work was the ‘bread and butter’ of the district.

Coun Jack Tyrrell said: “I feel for the residents but I always find it’s like buying a house next to a play area and complaining someone’s got their kids playing.”

Coun Peter Coupland said there was a ‘balance’ to be struck in order to help both parties ‘go away reasonably happy’ but later abstained as it was voted through.

Head of planning Phil Norman said officers could explore further conditions to mitigate the impact on residents.



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