Acland Bracewell secured, on appeal, planning permission for an extensive agricultural development (200,000sqft) on behalf of our client, Smithy Mushrooms Limited.

Smithy Mushrooms came to us with an ambitious vision to extend their existing practices onto a new site in West Lancashire’s Green Belt. They required a large agricultural building to process and distribute the 156 tonnes of mushrooms produced by the company each year, and to allow their continued growth in the industry. As a supplier of exotic mushrooms to a number of leading U.K. supermarkets, it was imperative that our clients were able to expand in order to continue to meet demands.

Acland Bracewell engaged with the Local Planning Authority through the Pre-application process before preparing a robust submission to the Council. Various technical consultants were instructed and managed by Acland Bracewell, and a strong submission was put forward to the Local Planning Authority.

The process of mushroom growing was accepted by the Local Authority as meeting the definition of agriculture, despite the extensive hardstanding needing to be laid. Mushrooms are grown on a hardstanding surface, rather than in or under the soil, making this proposal unique and more challenging. Due to the mushroom farming falling within the definition of agriculture, the proposal was considered an appropriate development in the Green Belt.

The client’s existing site employs 49 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff, and the new Site would enable an increase to  89 FTE. Not only is this a boost to employment opportunities in the Local Area, but it also helps our client cement itself as a major employer in West Lancashire.

The Local Planning Authority Officers recommended approval at the Planning Committee. However, upon consideration, members deferred the application twice before ultimately voting to refuse the proposal for a single reason relating to impact on the Green Belt.

Following the refusal at the Planning Committee, Acland Bracewell submitted a Written Representations Appeal to the Secretary of State. Upon consideration, the appointed Inspector found the development would result in limited harm to the character and appearance of the Site and the appeal was subsequently allowed.

Following the Appeal, Acland Bracewell succeeded in discharging the planning conditions, enabling the development to be implemented.

Acland Bracewell later secured a variation to the approved design. The variation was again recommended for approval by Planning Officers, but was deferred by members twice. We submitted an Appeal Against Non-Determination to the Secretary of State on behalf of our client, and the variation to the design was allowed by the appointed Inspector.

Many problems can present themselves in the process of obtaining planning permission, even on sites such as this, where the development is appropriate. Acland Bracewell pride ourselves on having the knowledge, commitment and ability to be dynamic in overcoming obstacles and meeting our clients’ requirements.