Peeblesshire News | News | Farms boss out of cluck

Thursday, 21st August, 2008

Published: Monday, 30th June, 2008 12:00

Farms boss out of cluck

By David Knox

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KIND-HEARTED egg tycoon John Campbell hasn’t been able to hatch a plan to gift his longest serving workers with houses.

The Glenrath Farms boss had hoped to obtain permission to site three properties adjacent to his Whim Hall Poultry Farm.

And pass the plots on as a reward to his most loyal employees.

But the charitable chicken chief was knocked back by members of Tweeddale Area Committee on Monday.

Mr Campbell told the Peeblesshire News: “I am very disappointed and also very surprised by the decision.

“Planning permission was recently granted for two properties on a neighbouring site, so I can’t see why we shouldn’t be allowed permission.

“There was a break in at the Whim Hall farm recently and I thought it would be good to have workers living nearby to keep an eye on things.

“I feel we have a strong case and I’ll be appealing the decision.”

A similar application for housing next to another Glenrath poultry farm at Hamilton Hall was turned down a couple of years ago.

Mr Campbell added: “The planning officers recommended we should be given permission for Hamilton Hall yet we were refused.

“This time they recommended refusal and I thought we would get it. I have to admit I am surprised.”

Planning officers believed the outline bid for the site near the entrance to Whim Hall Nursing Home contravened housing in the countryside policy.

Principal officer Barry Fotheringham said: “There is no supporting statement or sound economic reason for the erection of three dwellings in this location.

“The applicant has confirmed that he intends to gift the site to three existing long serving employees as a loyalty reward.

“It is accepted that a building does exist at Whim but the application site is divorced from that group and does not relate well to the existing residential properties.”

Although the application didn’t receive any objections it failed to find support from councilors on Tweeddale Area Committee.

Catriona Bhatia said: “While we can commend the applicant’s desire to reward his staff we have no alternative but to support the officers’ policies.”

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