Farmer fights barn decision

Company director Neil Crosswaite was told to demolish the building in Walsh Lane, Bingley, after planners said he did not have appropriate planning permission.

But after an appeal hearing at Shipley town hall last month, Government planning inspector Sean Slack ruled the enforcement notice should go ahead after deciding the building was not a permitted development.

Mr Crosswaite said he was determined to do all he could to keep the barn.

"I'm submitting another planning application and I will fight tooth and nail to keep it," he said.

He claimed he sent the relevant document - a prior notification form - to Shipley planners and said because he did not receive a response he believed he had permission for the construction.

The father-of-two said he believed because he did not hear anything within 28 days that building work could commence.

The Telegraph & Argus reported last month that at the hearing planning officer Annette Middlemass said the form was never received.

Mr Crosswaite said: "I keep sheep up here and need the barn for them and my equipment. I can't keep sheep without a barn and if I have no sheep these 15 acres will become overgrown and that will cause further complaints."

In his report Mr Slack said: "I consider that the appellant ought to have been put on notice that his letter did not arrive when no acknowledgement was received from the Council.

"My conclusion on the balance of probability is that the appellant has failed to comply with the required statutory procedure in order to qualify for permitted development."

Mr Crosswaite's initial plan was recommended for approval by Shipley planners in 2000 but was rejected by Shipley Area Planning Panel after complaints from residents and Micklethwaite Village Society.

Last month he was also ordered to demolish a conservatory at his home for which he had no planning permission.

He was also fined £1,000 and had to pay £600 costs.