Empty buildings at Higher Stakehill Farm to be converted to homes

Higher Stakehill Farm

Three empty buildings at Higher Stakehill Farm will be transformed into four homes, after being approved by the Planning & Licencing Committee on Monday.

The application was first 'called in' by ward councillor Billy Sheerin in 2016, over concerns of the ‘dreadful’ visual impact.

He added: “A lot of work has been done by the applicant to make this better, but I feel the site will be overdeveloped.

“The lane was designed for agricultural traffic, not that of today. This lane is an accident waiting to happen and the application should have an inbuilt condition to look after safety.”

Ian Briggs, of Stakehill Lane, addressed the committee on behalf of the objectors, raising concerns of blind corners, the lane being a track, safety concerns for lane users such as children, walkers and horse-riders, an increase in traffic and deterioration of the lane’s surface.

As the lane directly in front of the site is unadopted, the Highways Department is limited as to measures that can be imposed.

After a discussion, the applicant’s agent added they were happy to include a survey of the road’s condition both before and after the works take place. Signs will also be placed at the lane’s entrance, following councillors’ requests.

Nine councillors voted in favour of the application with the additional conditions, with two voting against and one abstaining.