AN Ilkley dairy farmer has been given the go-ahead to try to secure the future of his family business.

Michael Boothman, of Grange Farm, Carters Lane, Middleton, has been granted planning permission to convert four old barns into houses and construct a new dairy.

The existing dairy units on the farm are cramped and lack adequate ventilation, according to a Bradford Council report.

Due to the nature of the existing 300-year-old buildings and because some of them are Listed by English Heritage, it was not possible to upgrade them into a modern dairy unit, council officers told the committee.

Mr Boothman has been at Grange Farm for 40 years and has been joined in the business by his son, William.

Mr Boothman's existing milk supply contract from 56 dairy cows and 31 followers was in danger of being cancelled because the state of the old buildings, but the modern dairy unit would conform to rising standards.

Sub-committee chairman John Cope (Lab - Worth Valley) said that despite objections to the plan, members felt the improved standards of animal husbandry resulting from the scheme could justify its approval.

"We were concerned about improved standards of agriculture and employment," said Coun Cope.

Mr Boothman said he hoped that the new dairy could be in operation within a year.

"It would be good to think it would be up and running by next October," he said.

A report to the committee says: "This is an acceptable and necessary development, the objective of which is to enable the farmer to modernise to meet rising hygiene and welfare standards and stay in business."

Objectors to the plan said they thought the development was inappropriate on the site, as it stands at the side of a country lane in a green belt area on the edge of the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Ilkley Parish Council supported Mr Boothman's plan.

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