Chesham: Hundreds object to Kimchi farm plans near Pednor Loop

Syed Ahmed submitted an application to build a barn to store farming equipment and tools on green belt land in Pednor Road, part of the Pednor Loop, in Chesham.

The initial design and access statement said Mr Ahmed wanted to use the land for growing organic vegetables to supply to supermarkets, with the barn used to store farming equipment.

But an agricultural report mentions a Korean Kimchi-producing facility on the freehold land he owns – plot 14.

Kimchi is a fermented superfood produced from Chinese cabbage and other vegetables and spices.

Mr Ahmed also wants to grow peppers and chillies and is aiming to produce up to 500kg of cabbage a week, which is around 250 plants.

According to the agricultural report, the Kimchi-making process involves first washing and air drying the cabbage before being blended with spices in open topped bucket-like containers.

One mixed, the Kimchi is allowed to naturally ferment in a china container, with each container holding up to 10kg of kimchi for up to four weeks.

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With a production cycle of at least five weeks, around 250 storage jars will be required, as well as a walk-in refrigerator.

The proposed building will be used for the process, from washing the cabbage to the packaging and distribution of the finished product, the agricultural report says.

PICTURED: This is where plot 14 is along Pednor Road. Image: Google/Statim Build

Hundreds of objections have been submitted to the online plans, with resident Jennifer Bennet writing: “The site is located on a narrow road that is extremely popular, on weekdays as well as weekends, with cyclists, runners and walkers, often including families with dogs and young children, prams and pushchairs.

“The proposed entrance/exit to the site is acknowledged by highways to have poor visibility. It will be dangerous.”

Gerlinde Dunkley wrote: “The application is for gravel paths and a barn for storing a tractor and agricultural implements to enable the landowner to grow fruit and vegetables in his field.

“However, the council’s agricultural consultant has pointed out that the size of the barn cannot be justified by its declared purpose.

“In response to this, the landowner’s agricultural consultant has now explained the barn is actually intended to be a processing plant for producing Korean-style fermented cabbage.”

They added: “Bear in mind that it is a food processing facility which is being proposed. Surely a new planning application is required, giving precise details of the landowner’s actual intentions.”

PICTURED: The site plan with the proposed building in red. Image by Statim Build

Speaking about the application itself, Gerlinde said: “The scheme seems to be an industrial project which has been dressed up as an agricultural one, in the hope of satisfying the conditions for permitted development in the Green Belt.

“The landowner’s claim that the project would support growth and business expansion in the rural economy is unfounded. His field is not in a remote rural area where employment opportunities are scarce – it is about a mile from Chesham’s Met line station.

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“The landowner has failed to justify why he should be allowed to place his food processing plant in an undeveloped AONB in the Green Belt rather than on an industrial estate or brownfield site.”

And Jagruti Joshi commented: “My family and neighbours often walk down the chalk path where the development is proposed.

“I am appalled that an AONB can even be considered for such a proposal to the detriment of our revered countryside, wildlife and community health.

“During the pandemic, this area became a huge source of wonderment and joy which contributes to mental health.”

The design and access statement said: “The scale of the proposed barn is common for agricultural buildings and will therefore not appear out of character within the landscape.”