"Objection on the grounds that the site is in a very prominent and visible position in the last unspoilt valley with no modern intrusions at present, well used by walkers; this development would be highly intrusive from several points and detrimental to the visual amenity of the area. The Council does not find the arguments advanced in relation to current traffic movements and problems convincing and considers that the present farmhouse should continue to be used, so that there is no need for a new farmhouse. Another farmer in this parish has not been permitted to build a new farmhouse after the original farmhouse had been sold (by his father) for non-agricultural occupation and the same should apply here, where the current farmhouse could be continued to be used, though this might not be as convenient to the proposed barns.
Problems with winter weather conditions are now very rare in this area and farm tractors and vehicles are more able than most vehicles to overcome such difficulties, often being the only vehicles capable of moving around in very snowy weather.
The top road, from which access would be taken, is not suitable for additional traffic, being narrow and substandard with passing places. It could also be damaged by heavy vehicles during the construction of the development.
The Chairman of the Wooton-under-Edge Historical Society has suggested that this road may be Roman in origin, as a link between the known large Roman settlement at Kingscote and the Roman Villa at Wortley. A Roman spoon was found in an archaeological excavation in the valley some years ago. The Council would request that the archaeology in the area should be investigated.
Only one barn is shown on the plan supplied, although two are referred to in the text, and there is coincern about where a second barn of this very large size could be positioned in view of the contours of the land around the site.
The Town Council considers that this is not an appropriate site for an intensive agricultural operation, which would be a change to current farming practices, because of possible effects on the sensitive environment, which is also particularly rich in flora. Adders have also been seen on this site, though fauna do not appear to be listed in the environmental statement. There is particular concern about the disposal of effluent from the proposed barns because the site is close to the borehole at Coombe.
A further matter for concern is the intrusion of artificial lighting for the farming operation which would be very noticeable from the town in this elevated and otherwise entirely dark area.
27th January 2004
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