P1421/PELL/16/00740/FUL
Agricultural Statement to be read in conjunction with
Archaeological Evaluation & Heritage Statement
Planning Application 16/00740/FUL
Prepared for:
G. Pell & Son Ltd
Mavourn Farm,
Thurleigh Road, Bolnhurst,
Bedford, MK44 2EF
Prepared by Brown & Co Alexanders
Acre House
70c High Street
Huntingdon
Cambridgeshire
PE29 3DJ
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P1421/PELL/16/00740/FUL
This statement is to be read as apart of planning application 16/00740/FUL and accompanies
the Archaeological Evaluation and Heritage Statement prepared by Archaeological Solutions
Ltd, for a new grain store at Mavourn Farm, Thurleigh Road, Bolnhurst, Bedford.
Mavourn Farm is central to the applicants farming operation with the majority of grain being
stored here and has the best access for haulage lorries going to and from the farm, and the
proposed new grain store will provide the farm with much needed extra agricultural grain
storage.
The two existing agricultural buildings do not provide sufficient capacity for the holding and a
vast quantity of grain on the farm has to be sold at harvest at a discounted price or hauled to
Bedfordia Farms stores, at Milton Earnest and put into storage at extra cost to the farm causing
a financial loss due to either having to sell in a restricted market or paying for storage.
The existing agricultural buildings that have been in place since the 1970's, do not have enough
capacity to store the harvest, with today’s crops yielding more tonnes per hectare than they did
30/40 years ago. The smaller grain store doubles up as a wet grain store, storing damp grain
that needs to be dried in the drying facility located adjacent to the existing farm buildings,
taking it out of use to store dried grain in a wet season.
The position of the proposed new grain store has been sited to adjoin the existing grain stores
within the farmyard area, to make filling it more efficient and to enable loading of haulage
lorries easily and safely.
The building has been located outside of the Schedule Monument area and following
discussions with Historic England has been positioned 3 meters away from the top of the ditch
bank with adjoins the Schedule Monument.
By utilising the area of the existing farmyard for the proposed new grain store, the applicant will
not be building on the agricultural field at the rear of the existing grain stores, which is detailed
as being grade 2 on the Agricultural Land Classification Map (Sheet 134). The proposed
location will also avoid damaging existing land drainage within the field.
If the proposed building were to be located outside the existing farmyard area, behind the
existing grain stores, this would give a disjointed feel to the farmyard and would require the
construction of a large concrete apron, which would cover the area proposed for the new grain
store, which is considered to have a greater impact than the proposed application
The proposed building will enable the applicant to operate a more efficient and sustainable
farming business, as the applicant will be able to harvest crops quickly, get them into store and
not have to waste time filling old stores and silos slowly, which could prevent crops not being
harvested on time and losing quality and condition.
By permitting the building of the new grain store it will enable the applicant to be able to better
monitor crops in store as the majority of the grain will be stored on one site.
The applicant will also be able to reduce vehicle movements on the public highway as the farm
has a good internal road network, making the use of public highways minimal. Whereas if the
applicant had to cart grain to the Bedfordia store at Milton Earnest, which is approximately 7.5
miles away it could cause congestion on the highways, due to having to travel through two
villages with tractors that are not very quick and with trailers only holding approximately 12
tonnes, this would involve a lot of journeys and could cause disruption to motorists.
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P1421/PELL/16/00740/FUL
By the applicant having their own grain store on site, they will have a greater storage capacity.
At present, they are limited by lack of storage which restricts when harvesting can take place,
this was seen in the 2015 harvest and resulted in a late harvest, with less autumn crops being
planted. By having the additional store the applicant will be able to harvest more efficiently and
establish autumn crops sooner, which will be more efficient for the business.
By allowing a grain store on site the applicant can grow better food for the nation, and can
ensure quality for specialist malting barley, which is keeping local breweries in business.
The new grain store will also increase health and safety on the farm as the building will be taller
and able to accommodate more modern machinery avoiding the risk for any damage to
machinery, equipment and employees.
By providing the new grain store the business will become more efficient allowing the applicant
to have more time to spend on the holding and, in turn, have more time maintaining the
Scheduled Monument.
James Bailey, MRICS, MBIAC
14th October 2016
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