PLANS to keep animal experience days in Barton-under-Needwood have been deferred so further discussions over opening times can be discussed.
The activity at Rhosyn Farm involves feeding cattle, grooming animals and educating guests over the running of a rural farm.
Until now, permitted development rights had been used in to operate for a maximum of 28 days – but the business now hopes to operate all year round.
However, concerns have been raised from neighbours over the impact of the development.
Resident Phillip Jackson, who was objecting to the proposal, said he lived in the area for the past 30 years and until last year had no concerns with the farm.
He said:
“We have no issues with the farm’s legal activities and indeed wish them good luck in their ventures – as long as they are not to the detriment of neighbours peace and safety.
“Our objections are based on a considerable increase in vehicular traffic. I’ve been verbally abused on various occasions when asking farm guests not to pull into our drive and physically threatened twice, once which led to police involvement.
“Noise, loss of privacy and dangerous traffic in what used to be a quiet corner but is fast becoming a tourist destination.”
Applicant Jonelle Rose, a first generation farmer, told the planning committee at East Staffordshire Borough Council:
“After a number of years we decided to allow the public to come and interact and we had no idea how valuable this experience would be for members of the public.
“Initially, we ran a small number of sessions per day with a small number of participants. But after we required planning permission to run the experience day, we’ve been running days with more sessions and visitors as we’ve been limited to our 28 days for the permitted development use.
“However, we wanted to minimise the disruption of neighbouring properties so in an attempt to compromise we’ve proposed significant restrictions on ourselves.”
The restrictions include a limiting of three sessions per day – four in peak times – and a maximum of eight visitors per session.
There will also be an hour gap between sessions to minimise the potential of visitors using the access at the same time, and the last session will end at 5pm.
Ms Rose continued:
“The visitors we have come from far and wide with many staying locally, eating at local pubs, cafes and restaurants and visiting other local establishments, which all helps the local rural economy.”
But councillors were concerned about the impact on neighbouring properties with all round usage and wanted to condition limited opening months to the summer.
The plans are now set to return to committee for a decision next year.
