Vet granted permission to build agricultural building despite community council opposition

A VET was granted permission to build an agricultural building at her home in Llandyrnog so she could raise animals, despite opposition from the community council.

Ms Fiona Jones applied to Denbighshire County Council’s planning department, seeking permission for the building at her home at Cwm Hyfryd.

Councillors were assured the building was for private use only and not for Ms Jones’ role as a vet.

But the committee also heard how Llandyrnog Community Council objected to the plans, citing the planned shed as disproportionately large and visible in an area of natural beauty.

Other reasons for the objection included manure impacting neighbours’ properties and the nearby watercourse.

But Ms Jones addressed the planning committee, explaining why she wanted to build the large shed.

“It’s always what I wanted to do, to have the fields at home so I could have my horse, a pony, and a few sheep,” she said.

“I grew up on a farm, so I’ve always been interested in having a few sheep and wanted to have a small farm at home.

“I’ve got two little boys who love farming, who love going to mum and dad’s, so to have our own sheep will be great. The shed comes out of the necessity to have those things.

“I’d like to have a stable for my horse, one for my son’s pony, an area for food storage, and also want to have part of the shed for lambing in the winter.”

She added, “I also want to store the equipment in there. I need to get a little tractor or a quad bike to do some maintenance on the field – and also to put my caravan in there because of security risks.”

Cllr James Elson supported the plans.

“The need for somewhere to keep your horse is obviously paramount if you’re a horsey type of person. We’ve got a couple at home. So I think this building is quite normal for the development,” he said.

Cllr Merfyn Parry said the applicant had worked with officers and reduced the building’s size from the original application.

“I think the applicant has worked well with the officers, but you’ll never please everybody<” he said.

Cllr Peter Scott added: “It is obvious the applicant is a vet and this building won’t become an auxiliary building for the veterinary work, I believe; otherwise, that would be a lot more movement being talked about?”

Cllr Scott was assured by officers that conditions on the consent would prevent such professional use.

The application was voted through 19 votes to nil.