A WEST Somerset farming family’s application to move their entire farm to a location on the other side of a country road has been approved by Somerset Council planners.

Making the application on behalf of his family, Ben Sellick had asked for permission to build a new Escott Farm on the opposite side of Escott Lane, in Stogumber.

The reasons included the poor state of the existing buildings and a current risk of polluting the nearby Doniford stream.

The proposed new state-of-the-art buildings would allow modern farming and husbandry techniques to ensure the continuation of the successful faming business which had been carried on by the family for four generations.

Planning agent Megan Masters, of Acorus Rural Property Services, Exeter, said on the new site there would not be the risk of pollution of the watercourse.

Ms Masters said four possible sites for the new buildings had been considered and the most suitable was on existing pasture to the west of Escott Lane.

This was well away from watercourses and public rights of way and would provide good levels of ventilation in livestock sheds.

Council planning officer Gemma Webster said there had been no objections to the scheme and it had been supported by Stogumber parish councillors.

Ms Webster said relocation of the main farmstead would include the erection of high-welfare cattle and young-stock accommodation complete with farmyard manure, cattle handling facilities and machinery shed, a purpose built grain store/storage building, and a chemical store.

The proposal was acceptable in principle and would not have an adverse impact on the landscape, highway safety, surface drainage, or residential amenity of the area.

Permission had previously been granted for the conversion of existing agricultural buildings into five homes, with conversion of a stable for a sixth still under consideration.

Ms Webster said: “The appearance of the proposed buildings takes on the form and design of other accepted ‘modern’ agricultural buildings in the local area and wider rural landscape.

“It is considered that the location is acceptable given its close relationship with the existing farmstead and farmhouse and within the landscape contours, ensuring no impact upon the watercourse nor public rights of way.

“There are no nearby neighbours who would be directly impacted by the proposal.

“The site is not within any defined landscape protection area, however it is within open countryside and can therefore be seen from various viewpoints.”

Following comments from a landscape officer, amended landscaping details were provided showing additional tree and hedgerow planting across the site.

Ms Webster said: “This would allow a break-up of the mass of the buildings and provide screening from long distance views, in addition to additional hedgerow planting alongside the public right of way to the south to screen the views directly from the footpath.

“The landscape officer has reviewed the amended landscape strategy and planting details and has no objections to the proposals stating that the proposed scheme would provide much improved screening and assist in the building’s integration into the rural setting.”