A PUBLIC inquiry is to be held over plans to expand a farm enterprise by building on a floodplain.

Farmer William Farrow has appealed to the Secretary of State against the decision of Hambleton District Council to refuse planning permission for a 556.32sq m building to rear 108 calves at a time at Skate Beck Farm, Great Busby, south of Stokesley.

After submitting the application, an agent for Mr Farrow said the appearance of the building was designed to fit in with its open countryside location as “a normal agricultural building one would expect to find in such an area”.

He added: “The proposed development is well designed and effectively assimilates into the local rural landscape without detriment to the visual appearance of the area.”

But planners rejected the scheme, saying its proposed site was in an isolated and prominent position that was subject to flooding, being near the River Leven.

In an unusual move, planners also rejected the proposal over concerns with the viability of the business.

An officers’ report to planners stated: “It is clearly apparent that the viability is largely reliant on the personal finances of the applicant and the business viewed in isolation is not viable.

“Even when writing off the substantial investment required for the building, there are still no labour costs. There are significant doubts that the business could be operated in the long term in a viable manner.”

The appeal will be be dealt with by a hearing, the date and venue of which are yet to be decided.