Plans to build a house for a worker at an under-construction poultry farm near Donington have been rejected.
Wray Trading made the application for the home on land at Gibbet Fen Road.
It was discussed at the meeting of South Holland District Council’s Planning Committee last week.
The authority’s officers had recommended it be refused because the property is in open countryside and therefore doesn’t accord with planning law.
But some councillors felt it was a reasonable request due to the nature of the business.
Coun Bryan Alcock said he’d previously managed such a poultry farm.
“I accept that without the poultry unit it’s an inappropriate site for a house,” he told the meeting. “I actually managed one of these. Originally we operated without a house on the site, sadly to our cost.
“We had two operatives within easy reach, but it wasn’t soon enough when problems occurred.
“I accept that there’s all sorts of modern alarms available, but they can fail and you need someone on site who can react quickly.
“It’s no good saying you’ll get there in 20 minutes.
“Half the birds in the building of that nature can be dead if something catastrophic goes wrong in that time.
“Every unit I know about has a property on the site,” he said.
Coun Paul Barnes also claimed that not having a house near to the factory discriminated against potential employees who can’t drive.
But the committee voted in favour of refusing the application.
Coun Chris Brewis said approving the application ‘could create a precedent’.
Coun Allan Beal, told the meeting: “I wouldn’t call it an agricultural building, it’s a luxury house.
“I don’t think they’ve fully justified the need.”
