Plans for Shropshire pig farm with 2,000 animals put forward

Lee Gilbert has submitted plans to Shropshire Council for a pig farm to be built on a site near Market Drayton.

The plans consist of two livestock buildings, feed bins and hardstanding for deliveries and muck removal.

Mr Gilbert grew up in the local area and worked on farms during his childhood and he is now seeking to set up his own farm.

In the plans it states he has researched various different enterprises and based on the resources he has available he has identified an opportunity for contract rearing pigs.

Mr Gilbert has acquired the necessary land and has already been offered a contract by Stockcroft Ltd to supply them with the pigs. The farm would be situated on a plot adjoining Adderley Road, Spoonley.

In a planning document it states: "Mr Gilbert has sought to ensure that the proposals do not have any unacceptable impact on neighbours, the environment or any other users of the local area.

"Specialist consultants have been employed to assess the potential for harm and where appropriate produce mitigation measures which design out or manage those risks to an acceptable level.

"In 2006 the application site of 10.84 acres was granted change of use for equestrian use and permission for the construction of seven timber stables and associated hardstanding.

"The land has since reverted to agriculture and a steel portal frame general purpose agricultural storage building, clad in steel box profile and concrete panels typical of modern agricultural buildings, was constructed on site."

The contract will require Mr Gilbert to rear pigs in batches of 1,980 at a time. The pigs will be delivered to site as 28-day-old weaned piglets at about 7kgs and will be removed from the site from week 15 over a five-week period in batches of 400.

The plans state that once the final batch is removed the site will be cleaned and disinfected prior to the delivery of the next batch.

Mr Gilbert has estimated there will be about two vehicle movements per day and that the manure will be removed from the shed on a daily basis to be used as natural fertiliser.

To view the plans visit www.pa.shropshire.gov.uk/online-applications/