PLANS for a new vehicular access to Worthy Farm in Pilton have been detailed.
The scheme would see a new 5m-wide access created at Pylle Road, to allow deliveries of sawdust bedding for the farm's 500-strong dairy herd.
It is intended to serve a building being constructed on the site, home of the Glastonbury Festival, and would also serve as access to staff parking during the event.
A statement regarding the plan, on behalf of Michael Eavis, reads: "All sawdust bedding will be delivered to site by articulated lorries. Cattle movements will involve the use of a 10m-long cattle box.
"These enter Worthy Farm from an easterly direction (to avoid vehicles passing through Pilton village) and will emerge onto Pylle Road via an existing concrete trackway – but this is located 60m from the field access where the new cattle shed is being constructed.
"The proposal involves creating a new farm access directly opposite the track on the other side of Pylle Road. This will result in the site having direct access from one of the principal concrete trackways on Worthy Farm.
"It is both more convenient and arguably results in enhanced road safety conditions for other road users."
The track would lead to an extended concrete area outside the cattle shed, allowing lorries to turn during deliveries.
The area in red is the new proposed scheme
"The difference in road and field levels involves creating a shallow ramp (1:10 Gradient) using spoil from the building excavations," it says.
"All large-scale vehicle movements associated with the applicant’s dairy herd and similar number of followers approach the farm from the east to avoid disturbing Pilton village residents.
"In relation to traffic movements associated with the proposed cattle shed, this will involve an articulated lorry delivery of saw dust once per month, weekly cattle movements using tractor and 10m-long cattle box, and daily tractor and feeder waggon movements."
Around 5m of hedgerow would be removed to install the track, the statement says.
"The proposal is solely driven by the need to provide a safe and convenient access to serve the consented cattle shed, which avoids traffic passing through Pilton village," it adds.
"The proposal will result in low level visual impact but would not harm the overall landscape character or appearance of the area."
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