A FARMING family from Bridestowe have applied to West Devon Borough Council for planning permission to build a house on their cattle and sheep farm for a family member who needs to be on site for calving and lambing.

Martin and Mavis Bickle have applied for outline planning permission (3773/21/OPA) for the dwelling at Knole Farm for their son Robert, a partner and key worker in the business, his wife Danni and their three young children.

The family currently live in an annexe of the main farmhouse which only has one main bedroom and a box room as sleeping accommodation.

A statement issued on behalf of the applicants Amanda Burden, of agents Luscombe Maye, said Robert needed to be on site for calving and lambing.

He runs the farm with his father Martin, who is 75, with calving and lambing taking place seven and a half months of the year.

She wrote: ’It is essential for the continued functioning of the business that Robert Bickle and his family live on-site for reasons that are bifold. There is a need for Robert to be at home to assist Danni with the care of their young children, and therefore living on the site will enhance the time that they can spend at home both before and after work.

’Meanwhile, living on site will mean that Robert is available on demand for emergencies such as calving or lambing that takes place for 71â??2 months each year.

’It is confirmed that an agricultural occupancy condition will be placed on the dwelling to ensure that it is occupied for its intended purpose if the property was to ever be sold.

’With a herd of 50 suckler cows and 300 breeding ewes, there is full-time work for both Martin and Robert Bickle. Each and every cow, calf, ewe and lamb is significant as they form a part of the saleable produce of the farm. Therefore, attention to detail during the breeding and rearing process is particularly important.’

Martin and Robert Bickle are the sole workers on the farm, with farm management and admin undertaken by Danni, and the work cannot be carried out by a sole person.

The statement added: ’Robert and Martin Bickle run a herd of large mixed Continental suckler cows, meaning they often must assist each other with difficult calving.

’During lambing the applicants monitor the breeding ewes on alternate nights as it is unreasonable to expect one person to do both the night shifts and the daily tasks.

’The suckler herd are housed in the buildings throughout the winter months to ensure that they can access enough feed and don’t lose condition in the harsh weather conditions.

’Additionally, in wet weather the land can become severely poached if cattle remain outside, so for the benefit of the herd and land, the cattle must be moved inside despite the greater labour demands this necessitates.’

She added that it was necesary to build a new home on the site, as all the other outbuildings were in use.

A house swap between Robert and his family and Robert’s parents would not be feasible because Mavis ran a bed and breakfast business from her home which was only possible from the farmhouse

Comments from the public on the application are invited and should be submitted to WDBC via the planning section of their website by by Novemeber 18 (3773/21/OPA).