Villagers defeated over farm plan, Teesdale Mercury

PLANS for a cowshed were approved by a single vote last week despite neighbours’ complaints over the noise and smell of the animals.

Seven members of Durham County Council’s planning committee approved plans for the livestock barn at Mill House Farm in Windmill. Six refused the development.

More than 40 people wrote letters of objection to the council and 73 signed a petition against the plans.

Resident Robert Barker told the committee that the barn, the farm’s third, would increase the number of cows from 178 to 300.

He said that would result in more feed deliveries, meaning increased traffic in the hamlet. He said the animals would also make more noise and smell.

Mr Barker said the majority of Windmill’s residents had lived there for generations and were not “anti-farming”.

He accused Windmill Farm of intensive farming and said the number of cows at the site had more than doubled since 2008. Mr Barker said neighbours’ lives were being destroyed. He said: “We have to wear earplugs because of the noise of the animals overnight and the stench means we are unable to enjoy our gardens or even hang out our laundry.

“They are farming on an unprecedented scale which is causing unprecedented problems and pollution for our family homes.”

The council’s environmental health department investigated neighbours’ claims over excessive noise and smell from the farm but found “insufficient evidence” of nuisance behaviour, the council’s planning report said.

The residents also complained about the noise of the agricultural machinery, including a feed mixer and the banging buckets of tractors.

Farm owner Janet Sewell said the cattle would be out in the fields during the summer months. She said they received one delivery of potatoes and two of grain a month. Ms Sewell said the feed mixer was used for half an hour every other day during summer and every day in winter.

The council’s highways chief, Neil Thompson, said a traffic survey showed the road to the farm is underused. He said 192 vehicles used it each day but the road could sustain 200 an hour.

He said even a trebling of traffic would have a “negligible” affect so residents’ fears over increase feed deliveries were “no reason for refusal”.

The council received 37 letters of support for the scheme and an 11-name petition in favour. The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and Castle Veterinary Surgeons also supported the new barn.

An NFU spokesperson said “it is vital a building is erected to house animals and protect them from the weather” and that the building “is vital to sustain the business”.  

George Richardson, a farmer and councillor for the Barnard Castle East ward, opposed the plan.

He said: “On this site it’s time to say enough is enough. There are plenty of other buildings available for the applicant to rent or even buy.

“I say this with a heavy heart but to suddenly increase the numbers of cattle by almost a half is unacceptable.” After an hour-long debate, the majority of councillors voted in favour of the new barn.