By BRIAN TILLEY

Last updated at 21:32, Friday, 05 March 2010

APPROVAL has been granted for the creation of a new farming operation near Ridsdale.

Three separate applications for the building of a farm worker’s cottage, and two large agricultural buildings at Fourlaws Farm were given the green light by Northumberland County Council’s west area committee.

Rather than the usual objections, the three applications from the Grieve family, of Whiteside Farm, Birtley, attracted three letters of support.

The only quibble came from ward councillor John Riddle, of Bellingham, who queried the restrictions being proposed on the outline permission for the farmhouse.

He said: “Most farmhouses in the North Tyne are fairly large, to accommodate a farmer, his wife and their families.

“Let’s not exercise birth control by planning committee here!”

Area development manager Daniel Child told the committee that this was a house in the open countryside, where guidelines existed to prevent a house being built that was too big for a farm worker’s needs.

He said: “That does not preclude the farmer extending the property; it just means that we have control over the size of it.”

The committee heard that Gordon Grieve and his family had farmed in the area for many years as tenant farmers, but had now bought some 800 acres of land at Fourlaws.

One of the letters of support came from neighbouring farmer Lord Devonport, of Ray Demesne, who said: “They live in a tenanted farm, but now importantly need to establish a house and stock buildings of their own, to go with the land they have so assiduously accumulated.”

The family vet, David Parkins of Intake Veterinary Services, also supported the application.

He said: “For routine procedures, the cattle or sheep need to be moved all the way back to the main steading at Whiteside three kilometres away.

“This is an avoidable situation which could be solved by the erection of sheds at Fourlaws.”

Planning officer Jenny Green recommended approval of all three applications, and councillors concurred.

First published at 09:43, Friday, 05 March 2010
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk