METCALFE Farms has applied to Richmondshire District Council to construct a staff offices building, agricultural buildings, weighbridge and a surface water collection pond.

The 2,000-acre farm on Moor Road has a pedigree herd of 900 Holstein cows and a similar number of sheep and has previously launched agricultural and haulage contracting with a fleet of 90 HGVs based there.

The farm business is applying for planning permission to create a new, bespoke office space for employees of Metcalfe Farms as well as two agricultural buildings, a weighbridge and surface water collection pond.

Metcalfe Farms is a large employer in the Dales and continues to expand its operation.

The new buildings are to support the growth of the business but to also enhance the working environment for their employees.

The application form for the development states: “As part of the application, we are proposing to construct new staff offices and museum/archive on the site.

“The offices are positioned on the north west corner of the farm, beyond the surface water pond. They can be easily accessed via the new access track and will have parking in close proximity for the employees.

“Previously the offices have been spread over the site and have grown organically as the business demands increased. This has created office spaces that are spread out with inefficient flow and poor access. They are also crowded.

“As part of the new office proposal there is also an area to showcase the history and development of the farm and the business. This can be used by visitors and employees to understand the history of the business and its evolution.

“There are two identical buildings proposed on the development site to be used for the sole purposes of agriculture. These are agricultural in style, with a box profile roof. The buildings will be used for storing equipment.

“Our client wishes to position a second weighbridge in close proximity to the new approved access track. Its location is planned to enable the efficient movement and weighing of vehicles as they enter and exit the site. This will also be sited on existing agricultural land.

"Metcalfe Farms continue to put in preventative measures to help with surface water increases. A large pond is proposed to be dug on the north west corner of the farm. This will be positioned on agricultural land. This will collect grey water and also be recycled to be used on the farm for washing machinery, irrigation, stock and controlling dust on site.

"All foul water will link to a new Klargester Bio disc package treatment plant which will then in turn link to the existing established irrigation pond located to the south of the farm group adjacent to the existing farm access track.

"This system works together with the established farm drainage system which has been inspected and approved by the environment agency.

"Due to the onsite levels and reduced dig we feel that the risk of flooding from the site is negated."

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