It's looking sticky for NELC cabinet member with controversial 'Shepherd's Purse' planning application

One of the caravans at the Shepherd's Purse smallholding in Bradley

THERE could be a setback next week for a high-profile North East Lincolnshire councillor.

Cllr Ron Shepherd, a cabinet member and Scartho ward representative, is seeking continued permission to site static caravan accommodation on his 1.1-hectare smallholding - known as The Shepherd's Purse - off Bradley Road in Bradley.

But at a meeting next week, his colleagues on the council's planning committee will be recommended to refuse the application. 

A report on the proposal states: "The site hosts a small farm shop with parking area, two  residential caravans, a paddock area used as a caravan site, a chicken coop, poly tunnels and growing beds.

"There is also permission for four camping pods, the access track for which has been installed."

Strongly opposed to the application is Bradley Parish Council which states: "The number of caravans permanently on the site already is two more than the original application allowed.

"There is no evidence of any obvious livestock that needs a caretaker 24/7. 

"The applicants' representatives maintain that a very expensive CCTV system - one that includes connections to their phones - has been installed which questions the need of permanent residency on the site.

"Many residents have complained to the parish council  that they have visited the site at varying times, wanting to buy vegetables and stock, and the gates have been locked.

"No opening hours are shown at the entrance to the site, nor at any other easily visible place relevant to the business."

Cllr Shepherd - caravans controversy

However, NELC has received letters of support for the application. 

It is understood that  two of the caravans are self-contained with their own bedroom, living room, bathroom and kitchen facilities.

NELC case officer Richard Limmer says: "Overall, it has not been demonstrated that the business has moved forward in any substantive way since the original permission was granted - in 2017 - for residential use. 

"Indeed, on site visits made during this application it has not been clear what produce is being grown on site at a commercial level. 

"One polytunnel does not have a cover and the other did not appear to have crops in. 

"The raised beds did have some vegetables growing but not at a commercial scale."

The case officer concludes: "It is considered that there is no justification for the requirement of any accommodation, never mind two residential units, and it presents an unsustainable form of development and a visual intrusion to the detriment of the open countryside."

The planning committee meeting is at Grimsby Town Hall on the morning of Wednesday next week (July 10).