Elmwood Farm Granted Permission to Relocate Amid Noise and Access Disputes

Permission has been granted for a farm located within a village to move its operations after residents raised concerns regarding noise and difficulties with vehicle access. Elmwood Farm, situated in Walton, Wakefield, is set to relocate to adjacent greenbelt property, a move the council states will enable it to “operate more effectively” and mitigate ongoing disputes with local inhabitants. The farm’s owners indicated that reaching the 390-hectare site with lorries and tractors had become “virtually impossible” because of parked vehicles. Concurrently, residents had frequently voiced grievances about the sound of machinery, particularly during harvest periods. The new site will position the farm 1,300 ft (400m) away from the closest dwelling and will include a dedicated access road. Plans have also been approved for a new farmhouse, cattle shed, and grain store. Pilkington Farms Partnerships reported facing access challenges for “general farming” activities, such as grain collection and fertiliser delivery. Furthermore, residents had lodged complaints about noise late at night from equipment, including a mobile grain dryer. Although Elmwood Farm engages in both arable and livestock farming, the family-operated enterprise had reduced its livestock rearing activities due to a rise in complaints. A document presented to Wakefield Council on the farm’s behalf stated: “Operating the farm in its current location within Walton village has become increasingly problematic.” The proprietors plan to submit additional planning requests to renovate and repurpose the current structures, which originate from the late 1700s, as reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The proposal received endorsement from Walton Parish Council and four local residents, with no objections raised against the plan. Peter Walsh, the parish council’s clerk, commented: “It will benefit both the local farming community, neighbouring residents, and aid the free-flow of traffic on Oakenshaw Lane.” He added: “The parish council are in favour of having a working farm in close proximity to the village so the surrounding fields are locally maintained and cultivated.” A report from a planning officer deemed the initiative suitable for the greenbelt area. The report further noted: “This family farming business has been trading for the past 51 years and there is significant confidence that the enterprise will remain viable for the foreseeable future.”