Agenda item

Full planning for the erection of a poultry unit extension to accommodate 16,000 free range chickens (egg production) together with associated works.

 

LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Berwyn Parry Jones

 

Link to relevant background documents

DECISION:

 

To approve subject to the following conditions:

 

1.    Five years

2.    In accordance with the plans

3.    Dark-green colour for the external elevation of the unit

4.    Agricultural use of the building only

5.    Public Protection conditions relating to the restriction of noise levels from the temperature control fans and concentration of particulates.

6.    Complete the landscaping plan in accordance with the details submitted with the application and the time-scale for completing this.

 

Erection of extension to existing poultry unit to accommodate 16,000 additional hens (for the production of free-range eggs) together with associated work

 

Attention was drawn to the late observations form.

 

a)    The Planning Manager highlighted that this was a full application to erect an extension to an agricultural unit to accommodate free range egg-laying hens and associated work at Fferm Plas Tirion, Llanrug.  Plas Tirion was described as an agricultural holding of 521 acres of land with a total of 200 head of beef cattle, and poultry and the proposed unit would add 16,000 additional egg-laying hens to the enterprise, a total of 48,000 hens.

 

It was explained that the site was located outside any development boundary as defined by the LDP and was therefore a site in open countryside.  It was reported that there was no specific policy in the LDP regarding agricultural developments, therefore the main consideration was Planning Policy Wales (PPW) and Technical Advice Note (TAN) 6:  Planning for Sustainable Rural Communities.

 

It was highlighted that the proposed shed would be attached to the existing chicken shed, and the extension would be smaller in size and scale and of the same design as the existing shed.  It was considered that the shed was reasonably necessary for agricultural purposes to expand the business and there was no doubt that its countryside location was essential within the established farmyard. It was noted that the proposal was in accord with policy PCYFF 1 and the principles of PPW and TAN 6 as long as there were no unacceptable impacts as a result of the proposal.

 

In the context of visual amenities, it was considered that the proposal was not an unusual development in the countryside and it was therefore acceptable based on the requirements of Policies CYF 6, PCYFF 3 and PCYFF 4 of the LDP.   

 

In the context of general and residential amenities, although the site was located in the countryside and near a working agricultural holding, it was noted that residential dwellings were located in the catchment area of the site itself. The dwellings known as Plas Tirion and Plas Tirion Lodge were located approximately 240m to the north of the application site with other dwellings/cottages located over 400m from the application site.  The proposal would involve using six extractor fans (on top of the 10 existing extractor fans) on the unit's roof to control the temperature within the unit itself. Taking the noise levels of fans into account, along with the results of the Noise Assessment submitted with the application, the Public Protection Unit recommended that a condition should be imposed that ensured that such fan units included three-eighths noise levels.   

 

It was reiterated that the unit would operate a multi-tier system that would enable manure to drop down onto the conveyor belt and the conveyor belt would be operated once every 5-7 days in order to dispose of the manure.  In turn, this would mean that only very little manure would be stored within the unit which would lead to a reduction in pest activity. Together with the proposed increase in the number of hens on this site, for the site to conform to the new requirements of the Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations (Wales) 2021 where agricultural holdings were required to include buildings or additional areas to store manure indoors during the Winter; it was noted that permission (application number C21/0773/23/LL) was given to erect an additional manure shed storage adjacent to the existing chicken shed at the start of 2022. 

 

In the context of transport and access matters, it was noted that it was proposed to use the existing access to serve the unit. The proposal would lead to an increase in traffic with lorries serving the unit by transferring feed to the hens twice a month and a 7.5 tonne lorry would collect the eggs twice a week.  Reference was made to a response that had been received from the Transportation Unit stating that they had no objection to the proposal as it was assumed that the proposal itself would not have a detrimental impact on any road or proposed road - therefore, the proposal was acceptable based on the requirements of Policy TRA 4 of the LDP.

 

In the context of biodiversity matters, it was highlighted that the applicant had been requested to submit additional information in the form of Manure Management Plans, Ranging Plan and a Method Statement on Pollution Prevention. Following a period of re-consultation based on the additional information neither Natural Resources Wales or the Biodiversity Unit had no concerns regarding the application; however, a condition should be imposed stating that there would be a need to comply with the content of the plans and documentation submitted as part of the application - therefore, the proposal was acceptable based on the requirements of Policy AMG5 of the LDP.

 

It was confirmed that the Community Council had submitted observations and was supportive of the application.

 

b)    Taking advantage of the right to speak, the Local Member made the following points:

·         Local residents had been concerned about the original application and, as a result, the Community Council had held a special meeting to discuss the application - one that would create a livelihood for a family and jobs for others. The initiative had now been in operation for three years - no noise problems had been recorded and the sheds were not visible - difficult to see that the initiative existed.

·         The Community Council supported the initiative.

·         No objections had been received from neighbours.

·         Agricultural costs were increasing and, therefore, this demanded a response.

·         Pleased to be able to support an initiative that could offer a livelihood and future for the farm.

 

c)    It was proposed and seconded to approve the application.

 

ch) During the ensuing discussion, the following observations were made by a member:

·         The farm was of substantial size.

·         48,000 hens seemed to be excessive on the site.

·         Smallholdings accommodated hens and also made a living - an initiative of this site killed small businesses.

·         No economic justification here.

 

RESOLVED: To approve subject to the following conditions:

 

1.         Five years

2.         In accordance with the plans.

3.         Dark-green colour for the external elevation of the unit.

4.         Agricultural use of the building only.

5.         Public Protection conditions relating to the restriction of noise levels from the temperature control fans and concentration of particulates.

6.         Complete the landscaping plan in accordance with the details submitted with the application and the time-scale for completing this.