AN approved planning application to mask pipework with trees at a cannabis farm in St Lawrence has been appealed by a nearby resident.
Last month, the Planning Committee gave the green light to medicinal cannabis producer Northern Leaf to form a ‘landscape planting screen’ on either side of the pipes, which have been exposed since a greenhouse covering it was demolished.
It was one of five applications for the firm’s base at Retreat Farm that were approved at the same Planning Committee meeting. A sixth – to enclose noisy chillers in a sound-dampening cover – was refused.
An enforcement notice was issued by the Regulation team within the Environment Department ordering that the chillers – which do not have planning permission themselves – be removed but Northern Leaf says it will resubmit another application for the acoustic covering over them, which they argue addresses the committee’s concerns.
The approved application to screen the piping doubled up as retrospective permission to retain the pipes, which had not have approval up to that point.
Now, St Lawrence resident Penny Bromley, who lives within 50m of the site, has appealed the approval for the tree screen, arguing that the pipework, which is connected to the chillers, should never have received permission.
“How is it logical that plans can be considered, never mind passed, to landscape these pipes and this area that is in breach of Planning and with machinery that is currently operating illegally?” she asks in her appeal application.
Anyone who wishes to make a representation to the appeal must do so by Friday 6 November.
