PLANS for a farm workers' home in the Silloth area have been approved by a planning officer at Cumberland Council.

The planning application is for a site at Fir Tree Farm in Seaville and, according to planning documents, planning permission has been granted subject to conditions.

According to the officer's report the site serves an operating farmstead at Fir Tree Farm in the hamlet of Seaville to the southeast of the town of Silloth. It states: "The farm is currently only served by the farmhouse.

"The applicant seeks consent to erect an agricultural workers’ dwelling in the form of a dormer bungalow at Fir Tree Farm to serve the needs of the farm."

The report states that Holme Low Parish Council, Environmental Health, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Butterfly Conservation Officer and Solway Coast - AONB Unit did not respond during the consultation period while highways raised no objections to the proposal.

The report adds: "The application has been advertised by site notice and neighbour letter. No third-party representations have been received to date."

It states that the proposal is considered to be within the open countryside. The report adds: "The policy highlights that outside of defined settlements new dwellings could be supported for housing essential rural workers in the operation of a rural based enterprise.

"The principle of supporting a dwelling at this location for agricultural purposes complies with [planning] policy.

"The farm currently has the main farmhouse associated with it. The current proposal seeks to erect an agricultural dwelling in connection with the business.

"The applicant has submitted an agricultural appraisal with the application.

The applicant appraisal highlights that the farmstead has a labour requirements of land and stock for 5.6 full time workers.

"Officers however consider it is not essential to live on site to provide the labour in association with the land requirements.

"Therefore, this has been deducted from the total leaving a sub total of 9510 hours which equates to a labour requirement of approximately five full time workers.

"Officers accept that the report highlights a need for an additional dwelling on site. The existing farm buildings on the site are of modern design and not suitable for conversion or are still in use for farming purposes.

"There are no other residential properties within the immediate surroundings of the holding, which are suitable or available.

"The applicant's son works full-time at the farm and currently has to travel to the farm on a daily basis."

According to the report the farm's livestock consists of 250 head of cattle and 48,000 broiler hens. It states: "Officers accept that the nature of the enterprise requires additional on-site accommodation and support the principle of a new dwelling with the siting in close proximity to the farm."

The report concludes: "The applicant has demonstrated the need for a dwelling at this location to serve the farmstead in line with Policy DM2.

"The layout scale and appearance are acceptable, with the overall development in line with local and national policy."