Agenda item

Measham Lodge Farm Gallows Lane Measham Swadlincote

The Planning and Development Team Manager presented the report to Members.

Dr O Mulka, objector, addressed the Committee. He advised Members that he had been a GP in Measham for 30 years (now retired) and that he was not against the creation of local jobs, but he had concerns over the noise that would be generated from the site. He reminded Members that the authority had objected in the past to the Minorca site and that TankMania would rob the residents of their peace and quiet at weekends. He expressed concerns over the committee report and the management plan and advised that residents had commissioned a noise expert to review the management plan and noise assessment. He highlighted that the residents of Bosworth Grange were elderly and the noise would have an impact on their health.

Mr D Rogers, applicant, addressed the Committee. He advised Members that a petition had been handed in containing 500 signatures in support of the application, with a further 22 still to be handed in. He informed Members that the business currently employed 7 full time staff, 6 of which lived in the Measham area and 8 part time, who were ex-servicemen. He added that the business was able to assist the ex-servicemen, adjust to civilian life, whilst working in a familiar environment. He advised Members that the business would help with the growth of the local community as visitors to the centre would visit local cafes and pubs before and after their visits. He added that they had recently attended the D–Day celebrations and had received and were receiving a lot of media coverage.

The motion to permit the application was moved by Councillor J G Coxon and seconded by Councillor G Jones.

Councillor D Everitt stated that it was about countryside diversity and that he was not interested in the arguments about noise. He added that the world was much quieter than the one he was born into and that noise, such as farm machinery, bird scarers and animal noises were acceptable. He went on to say that it was not much asking people to accept the activity as it was not a highly populated area. He felt it was a great asset to North West Leicestershire and expressed his support for the application.

In response to a question from Councillor R Woodward, the Planning and Development Team Manager advised Members that the opening times applied for were 10am to 6pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm Saturdays and 10am to 4pm Sundays. No opening on Bank Holidays.

Councillor R Woodward moved that the opening times on Sunday be amended to 10am to 2pm. This was seconded by Councillor J Legrys.

Councillor G Jones expressed his support for the application and stated that it would increase the range of activities available in the District and would provide a local team building experience for local companies.

Councillor M Specht stated that it was common sense to permit the application as the Parish Council had no objections subject to there being no impact on the footpath.

Councillor J Legrys stated that the noise issues would be dealt with, but he had issues with the straw bale bungs as they would deteriorate after a few weeks. He expressed his upset that an application was being brought to the Committee to create jobs in an area where residents objected to the noise.

Councillor T Gillard stated that he was all in favour of supporting the application as it was a local business.

The motion to permit the application in accordance with the officer’s recommendation and amendment to the opening hours on Sundays was put to the vote and it was

RESOLVED THAT:

The application be permitted in accordance with the recommendation of the Director of Services and the amendment to the opening times on Sundays to 10am to 2pm.