Statement Site Levelling - updated 03-11

Statement Site Levelling - updated 03-11

Ashdown Planning Consultants
Architectural Design and Planning
PLANNING SUPPORT STATEMENT
FOR
IMPORTATION OF CLEAN TOPSOIL AND SITE LEVELLING
AT
LAND OPPOSITE HENDALL MANOR FARM
HERONS GHYLL, CROWBOROUGH, EAST SUSSEX
TN22 4BU
3rd October 2012
1A Beechview Parade, Walshes Road, Crowborough TN6 3RA
Tel: 01892 459463 Mobile: 07933 177505
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PLANNING STATEMENT AND AGRICULTURAL JUSTIFICATION FOR IMPORTATION
OF TOPSOIL, SITE LEVELLING AND LAND IMPROVEMENT
Site: Land opposite Hendall Manor Farm. East of A26, Herons Ghyll, Crowborough East
Sussex. Title Number Esx 221678
View from south to north showing slope,
screening and invasive plants
Introduction: This supporting statement accompanies an application for the improvement
of the above land to enable further livestock grazing by importing high quality top soil and
improving drainage on the land.
The land the subject of this application is owner by the applicant, Mr M Carter and is a
registered agricultural holding under DEFRA Reg 41/138/0276.
The land is currently used as pasture by local farmers for sheep and cattle. There are
currently approximately 100 sheep grazing on site.
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The applicant has a farm plan to improve the quality of the land for grazing and introduce
his own small herd of approximately 12-13 Dexter cattle, and 20 sheep with the intention
of adding a small pig unit.
Site Description: The entire site area, as shown on the submitted plan amounts to 5.87
Ha and is linear on a north/south axis. There is an existing farm gate and access into the
site, immediately opposite the entrance to Hendall Farm to the west of the A26. The
northern part of the site, where the land improvement is proposed (outlined red on the
submitted site plan), is heavily tree screened on all sides and no part of the land is visible
from either the highway or any other nearby farm buildings.and amounts to some 2.4 Ha.
Existing Land and Proposal: In its present state, this part of the land is of marginal
arable use which is poorly drained and difficult to work due to the impermeable nature of
the soil. A soil analysis was undertaken by Alan Furneaux and this has been submitted
with the application. In its present state the land is unsuitable for farming and livestock
grazing.
Flora on the site are consistent with very damp grassland, these include water mint, mares
tail, alder and willow saplings. Also creeping thistle and brambles are plentiful with
bracken running into the site from the boundary to the A26. This creates an area that
cannot currently be referred to as grassland in an agricultural sense, nor is it species rich
in varieties considered to be important for the local habitat.
The proposal is to skim the top part of the field by a depth of approximately 2”, leaving the
spoil in a low heap in the middle of the field. The field would then be overlain with a 1m
thick layer of topsoil on the lower north and east ends of the site levelling to the existing
depth at road height, forming a plateau with a maximum 7degree angle of repose. The
imported soil will consist of reclaimed top soil containing no concrete, asbestos, or
chemicals, which has been filtered and mixed with manure. A humus builder and soils
structure improver ley would be sown, utilising strong taproot species to bind the new soil
together. The contractor proposed to provide the importation and levelling will be PJ
Browns who have a proven track record in this field. This company provide full wheel
washing facilities on site to ensure no soil is deposited onto the A26 from exiting lorries.
The boundaries of the site are characterised by different levels of ditches with a local
council pipeline bearing water run off from the A26 at the north east corner of the site.
This has caused some erosion of the applicants land due to it being cut short before the
ditch itself. The applicant proposes to extend this pipeline into the ditch to combat this. It is
proposed that improvement to this part of land will also address the issue of waterlogging.
There will be no risk of trees or tree roots of worth being damaged in the course of the
proposed soil spreading as all works will be within the existing fence line in accordance
with BS5837. The imported soil will not encroach upon the adjoining woodland as a 15
meter buffer zone will be observed from the crown spread.
Once green cover has been established this area of farmland will be returned to a
traditional pastoral Wealden landscape, removing the invasive species of flora currently on
the site and providing for a viable agricultural use of the land.
Services to the Site:
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Water:
A bore hole has been dropped on the southern part of site which located
and tapped into an ample supply of water for animal needs and for any
planting or horticulture.
Electricity:
The applicant is currently investigating the possibility of supplying electricity
to the land and is in consultation with the necessary authorities/suppliers.
Agricultural Enterprise:
During the summer months the land would be strip grazed by moving the cattle forward to
crop the grass and close their retreat, behind them. It will take 60 days for the cattle to
graze the field in this manner, giving ample time for re-growth. With the proposed
improvement to the northern area of the land, a further 12 Tons of grass will be produced,
providing an extra 4 Tons of hay.
Farm machinery currently owned by the applicant include a Wessex topper and various
small farming implements. Should the proposal be given permission he will proceed with
his purchases of a tractor, tedder, a bailer and trailers.
Future added farming activities are planned which includes a small pig unit, and a
horticultural and poultry enterprise on the southern, well drained area of the holding.
Currently some 100 sheep are grazing the land.
The applicant has attended meat cutting courses at Plumpton College, with
lamb/pork/venison/cow/sausage and ham courses for which he is certificated. He also has
a poultry slaughter license and an 8 hour animal movement license. This shows a real
intention to continue to farm the land and provide a viable and sustainable enterprise into
the future. The land is currently registered for pigs and sheep, and is used for such,
registration for cattle will follow when the first Dexters arrive. A Dexter cow will weigh
around 5.3 to 6.3 hundred weight and requires 11 Lb/cwt of grass. This amounts to around
50% of the requirements of larger cattle. The land in its current state would produce some
19.4 Tons of grass, so therefore it can support both cattle and sheep grazing here. Once
the land to the north has been improved and drained the enterprise can be further
extended and built upon creating a more financially viable and sustainable business.
POLICY APPROACH
In formulating the proposal regard has been made to the national and local policy
framework in conjunction with the special characteristics and physical location of the
application site. In this regard particular attention was given to the location of the site
within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The recently approved National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states at paragraph
28 – ‘Planning policies should support economic growth in rural areas in order to create
jobs and prosperity by taking a positive approach to sustainable new development. To
promote a strong rural economy.’ It also states that – ‘Local plans should promote the
development and diversification of agricultural and other land-based rural businesses.
With regard to birds and habitat, the proposal would not create extra footfall on the forest
than there currently is on the site arising from the care of the existing grazing animals.
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We strongly contend that the importation of sterile top soil onto currently farmed land, is
exactly the kind of proposal that can be permitted within this protected area under the new
policies. There will be no increase in pollutants, the land is already being used for grazing
animals and the site is completely screened from views from the A26. Also the land
improvement will enable the applicant to increase production and therefore promote a
stronger rural economy in line with the NPPF without harm to the surrounding countryside.
View to west and north towards A26
CONCLUSION
It is essential for the agricultural enterprise to improve this area of land and increase the
grazing area for animals.
The land is currently in use for the grazing of animals and the proposed improvements will
continue and increase this use and provide further farming enterprises for the owner of the
land. It will also enable the applicant to carry out improved stewardship of the land,
including upgraded drainage and control of invasive and non indigenous flora.
Consultations have taken place with the Environment Agency with regard to an exemption
certificate for the importation of topsoil and this is currently being moved forward.
The applicant has previously received support from the RES with regard to assessment of
the farming activities.
We trust that this proposal can be given a positive consideration by the Planning Authority.
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