A FARM outside Whitchurch has put plans into Shropshire Council to construct a new steel-framed building to cover an existing manure storage area.

The plans, submitted to the council at the start of January, is for Bubney Farms Ltd, which operates a dairy enterprise based at Bubney Farm in Grindley Brook, near the Cheshire border.

A design and access statement drawn up for the application says the manure is already onsite at the farm which houses a mixture up to 4,000 head and youngstock cows, but requires cover to keep clean rainwater off it.

It says: "The proposal is to construct a steel portal framed building for the covering of an existing manure storage area.

"The building will measure 100ft (30.48m) by 76ft (23.16m), and will be 20ft (6.10m) to eaves and 28ft (8.53m) to ridge.

"The proposed roof covering is designed to keep clean rain water from entering the dirty manure being stored.

"This significantly reduces the risk of water pollution and the amount of dirty water run-off that the farm produces.

"The proposal is designed to be unobtrusive, with the development being designed to be in keeping with the surrounding buildings and landscape.

"The site of the proposed agricultural building is situated within the existing yard area and is currently utilised for the outdoor storage of manure.

"The existing use on the site is agricultural, with the site being encompassed by current aspects of the farm.

"The proposed development will not detrimentally impact on any other neighbouring landowner or occupier."

Barbers Rural, who prepared the statement on behalf of Bubney Farm, say there would be negative impact on the nearby A41 traffic because the site has its own adopted road access.

It also states that is unlikely the proposal will have an adverse effect on neighbouring properties as the nearest residential property can be found 375 metres away and is screened by the natural topography of the land.

The statement concluded: "The new building appears to comply with aspect of the both local and national planning policy guidelines."

Consultation on the steel portal agricultural building is open until Monday, January 31 and anyone wishing to comment has until then to do so.

Anyone wishing to comment can head to https://pa.shropshire.gov.uk/online-applications and search 21/05907/FUL.