FARMING Family Apply To Build House As Business Expands

PERMISSION is being sought for development of a house at a successful farm near Kilmacolm.

The three-bedroom property is proposed for High Branchal Farm on the basis that it is a necessary additional dwelling house within the farm settlement for a family member and farm worker.

A statement submitted with the planning application explains: “The Telfer family have lived and farmed more than 240 hectares of lands at High Branchal Farm for five generations and in 2009 they celebrated 100 years of breeding at High Branchal.

“Mr and Mrs James Telfer are the current custodians and together with their two sons take a progressive and pioneering approach to life as they continue to grow their business and herd quality to ensure a bright and secure future in farming.

“Alongside their dairy herd, including pedigree Holstein and British Friesian milking cows, they farm beef young stock, North Country Cheviot ewes and have recently expanded their business with a mobile milk vending machine named Moovin Milk which is proving very successful.

The statement continues: “The clients require a modest and energy efficient house with an open plan living / dining /kitchen space, utility and bathroom spaces and three bedrooms (one of which will be used as an office / study).

“It is important to the clients that the house is built in quality materials, has good views across the surrounding farmland (unseen from the existing farm buildings) and forms a relationship to the existing farm house, steading and agricultural buildings.

“The design is modest in scale, single storey with a pitched roof. The form is traditional at a glance, and relates to the pitched roofs used throughout the existing farm buildings but has a contemporary modern feel.

“Large picture windows create dramatic panoramic views from within, yet when coupled with large expanses of solid walls, reflect the agricultural architecture of the barns and sheds around the farm.”

The document states that there are no buildings available within the existing settlement that are available or suitable for renovation and argues: “Following full farm analysis it has been concluded that a new-build dwelling would be the most appropriate and practical solution to the business’s need for on-site accommodation.

“The proposed dwelling forms an extension to the existing settlement at High Branchal and provides necessary on-site accommodation essential for the operation of the farm business, animal welfare and security.”

The application is pending assessment by Inverclyde planners.