Enforcement action has been taken against a popular venue for snacks, pumpkin picking and family days out after it failed to adhere to planning laws.
Questions remain over the future of The Little Cow Shed on Davenport Lane, which has appealed Cheshire East’s decision to refuse retrospective planning permission.
The application for a “change of use” to sell food and drink from the site, which was formerly used to graze cattle, was thrown out by planning officers in June 2024.
In its decision notice, the authority said building on the site had resulted in “encroachment into the open countryside through development of open land and caused harm to its character and appearance”.
The fields on Brereton Lane opposite Brereton Heath Nature Reserve had been used for agriculture, but owner Dale Farms opened up the year-round attraction to the public in April 2021, offering flavoured milk, hot drinks and snacks from vending machines.
Since then, The Little Cow Shed has extended its offering to breakfast baps and ice creams, as well as hosting seasonal celebrations including a pick-your-own pumpkin patch at Halloween and Christmas events.
Although Dale Farms applied in 2009 for permission to build a car park and storage containers, which was approved, it had not requested a change of use to allow for the sale of food and drink until February 2024, and had to apply retrospectively, when it had already been trading for three years.
As previously reported, 25 residents living near to the site objected to the application, with concerns over increased traffic along the narrow country lanes, speeding and “Little Cow Shed” branded litter around the nature reserve.
One resident from Finchingfield in Brereton Heath, said the 60mph road was “particularly dangerous” where pedestrians crossed the road between the nature reserve and the site.
They said: “There should be signs on both sides of Davenport Lane warning vehicles of pedestrians and signs … and The Little Cow Shed should pay the costs associated with this.”
In the most recent update from Cheshire East Council, a spokesperson said: “An enforcement notice was served in relation to the unauthorised material change of use of the land on 1st May and an appeal by the recipient is ongoing.” The spokesperson later clarified that the appeal was to Cheshire East Council and not to the Planning Inspectorate.
When asked if there was a way for residents to follow the progress of the appeal, the spokesperson did not respond.
The Little Cow Shed was asked to comment.
