AN Auchencairn farmer is appealing against a decision preventing him from building a new house on his land.
Robin Wallace, who runs the family business Robin Wallace and Co at Mains of Collin, insists that a new build property is essential to farming operations.
It means that his son Finlay can live and work on the farm full time.
However, Dumfries and Galloway Council planning chiefs refused his planning application in January this year for the erection of a house, along with the installation of a septic tank and soakaway.
Planning case officer Toril Glendinning argued that “it would lead to sporadic development in the countryside and there is no overriding justified need for the development in this specific location.”
The family’s representative, planning consultant Alan Neish, submitted an appeal weeks later and insisted that the house “is essential for the needs of agriculture.”
He wrote: “The farm operates with Robin and Finlay (Robin and Fiona’s son) working full time running the farm business. Fiona works part time for the farm business but due to other commitments is now spending less of her working time assisting with day to day tasks on the farm.
“The house is required for Finlay, who lives seven miles away in Dalbeattie, and SAC Consulting have confirmed that having all staff available on site on a permanent basis is essential to conduct all aspects of running the farm business and allows for more efficient working practices.
“Given the long and often unsociable hours the report states that ‘it is imperative that Finlay is also located on site to sustain the working regime of established viable farm business’.
“The report sets out in detail, that for animal health and welfare, security, health and safety, and efficiency reasons it is essential that Finlay resides in the footprint of the land at Mains of Collin.
“In relation to animal health and safety, this type of farming with livestock requires frequent monitoring and supervision for health reasons and it is essential that there are responsible persons available on site to look after the livestock all year round.
“This requirement means a lot of unsociable hours and not just at times of lambing or calving. Having an additional dwelling house on site will allow Finlay to also always be on hand to ensure the close monitoring and wellbeing of all livestock.”
He added: “Dog worrying is also a concern in this location close to the A711 and by having Robin, Fiona and Finlay on site will minimise the risk of serious or fatal attacks.”
The appeal came before the council’s local review body last week where councillors agreed to go on a site visit before making a decision on whether or not to uphold the planning officer’s decision, or allow the construction of the house to go ahead.
