Allotments in Yell and Sandwick approved by planning board

The community at Burravoe, Yell, is to gain eight allotments as well as a new building comprising a shop, post office, craft workshop and community room. Planning permission for developments was granted at a meeting of the planning board on Wednesday.

The allotments are to be sited behind the new building, which will be at the end of the Brough Road. They were originally intended to be adjacent to the Meadowbank Road houses, but were re-located due to privacy concerns. Parking places will be provided.

There were four objections to the new building – concerns cited the loss of “good arable land”, loss of views and the fact that the development would not be central to the village and would mean increased traffic on a minor road. There were also questions raised about whether the building was needed at all, given the availability of other buildings in Yell.

However planning officials rejected the objections. They said the site was not classed as good agricultural land, loss of view was not a planning consideration and there was no concern about road safety due to increased traffic, concluding that the design was “appropriate for the area”.

Meanwhile planning permission was also granted for allotments, a shed and polytunnels at Sandwick.

Change of use permission was granted for the agricultural land at Houlland Road for the venture, which will comprise 14 polytunnels and an 18 metre storage shed as well a car parking.

The area is classed as “good agricultural land” and planning officials deemed that the allotments would “maintain its viablity” and even improve it. Additionally the allotments would provide space for the community to interact, and would not be out of place in a semi-rural area.