AN Alexandria dairy farmer built a 6m high outbuilding, but "omitted" to tell the council, a report has revealed.

The issue relates to a building at 240-acre Overton Farm, in Overton Road, and run by Muirheads Dairy.

Now the applicant must apply for retrospective planning permission for the building and the application will be heard by West Dunbartonshire Council's Planning Committee on Wednesday, August 2.

A report to go before members said: "The outbuilding is located in the south western corner of the farm buildings and occupies the same position as a previous outbuilding which it has replaced.

"The original building at this location was used for the storage of farm machinery and other associated farm materials.

"The replacement building extends to 19m x 9m and is 6.5m in height at its highest point.

"It has a pitched roof and is finished in green profile steel cladding, with a concrete base.

"There are three roller shutter doors on the southern elevation and one on the northern elevation."

The report also details how the building, which is believed to have been built five years ago, 'slipped through the planning net.'

It states: "Many agricultural buildings can be built under “permitted development” rights without the need to apply for planning permission, but in such cases there is a legal requirement for “prior notification” of the planning authority instead.

"In this case, although the building would have been permitted under agricultural permitted development rights the applicant omitted to carry out the necessary prior notification procedure and the building was therefore unauthorised.

"As prior notification cannot be carried out retrospectively, a retrospective application for planning permission is required."

Apparently, it was only discovered the building was "unauthorised" when a separated application, requesting a part change of use, went before planners.

The report states: "The building was built for the storage of machinery and other farm materials.

"However, subsequently part of the building has been rented out to another business and used for steel fabrication and the fact that the building itself was unauthorised came to light during the consideration of the separate application DC15/258 (which relates to the subsequent part change of use of part of the building, amongst other matters).

"The current application was therefore submitted in order to regularise the building itself, and it relates only to the erection of the building for agricultural purposes and not to its subsequent part change of use.

"Issues relating to the non-agricultural use are not relevant to this application and should be considered under application DC15/258."

There is, however, opposition to the building in its current position.

The report states: "One representation has been received from nearby residents who object to the proposal due to its retrospective nature, issues relating to the non-agricultural uses at the farm, road safety and alleged anti-social behaviour experienced on Overton Road."

Despite objections, members of the planning committee are being urged to grant retrospective planning permission unconditionally.

The report adds: "The replacement of an agricultural building at Overton Farm complies with all relevant policies of the adopted Local Plan and proposed Local Development Plan.

"It is considered that the design and location of the building are acceptable, and that it does not detract from the amenity of the surrounding area."