EDDC to determine AI’s planning application for cattle crossing on 9 June

Aggregate Industries’ planning application 20/2542/FUL for a "New access to the B3174 Exeter Road to provide a livestock crossing incorporating holding pens" in an effort to facilitate plans for a quarry at Straitgate Farm will be determined by East Devon District Council on 9 June. 

Previous posts on the subject can be found here. The company’s Supporting Statement reads: 

AIUK is seeking permission for a new agricultural access onto the B3174 Exeter Road to facilitate an efficient crossing point for the current dairy herd at Straitgate Farm.  

Planning officers have concluded the application "is not to increase the frequency or duration of road closures" and have therefore recommended approval with conditions accordingly. Here are a few excerpts from their report: 

If the quarrying development were to go ahead then the majority of the grazing pasture on the north side of the B3174 would be unavailable, potentially necessitating four daily crossings of the B3174 for milking.

Whatever the crossing frequency, it is important to note that this application is only for a new access, not for any other development (such as the proposed quarry) that could lead to an increased need for livestock to cross the road. Any increase in the number of crossings that might arise as a result of the quarry going ahead is only relevant to that application and not to this application for the new access. As such, any implications from increased crossing is for consideration by DCC as part of the planning application under their consideration. 

CONCLUSION 

It is noted that in addition to highway safety concerns, objections have been raised about delays to traffic, including emergency vehicles, increased pollution, traffic diverting along unsuitable lanes and the impact on the local economy but none of these issues would be made worse by the proposal as no increase in crossings is proposed. 

The proposed improvements to the existing crossing between Straitgate Farm and its land on the south side of the B3174 are acceptable and will reduce crossing times and aid highway safety. The creation of a new access point would not in itself result in a greater need to cross the road and therefore on the basis that the frequency and duration of crossings would be the same as existing (and is conditioned as such) there is no reason to object to the proposal. 

Should the minerals extraction application being dealt with by Devon County require/result in an increase in road crossings, and potentially changes to the crossing (maybe through provision of a tunnel), that will be for Devon County to consider and secure/refuse as part of the determination of that planning application. 

RECOMMENDATION 

APPROVE subject to the following conditions: 

6. The access hereby permitted shall only be used to facilitate the movement of livestock across the B3174 in the circumstances described in paragraph 1.7 of the Supporting Statement prepared by Aggregate Industries UK Limited dated November 2020. The access shall not be used for any additional livestock movements. (Reason - The proposal has been assessed on the basis of the livestock movements described in the supporting statement and any intensification of the use would require further assessment in accordance with Policy TC7 - Adequacy of Road Network and Site Access of the East Devon Local Plan 2013-2031.)