Mid Wales 16,000-bird poultry farm to double in size
A 16,000-bird egg production unit will double in size after being granted planning permission from council chiefs.
Cefn Barach farm in Trefeglwys, near Newtown, will now house 32,000 chickens for egg production after Powys County Council planning officers gave the expansion the green light.
The business, which is run by David, Elizabeth and Richard Lloyd, will now develop the site to bring in the extra animals.
The farm, which is 700 acres, is currently mixed enterprise, with the poultry unit, suckler cows and a flock of sheep.
In their application, the family said: "Cefn Barach is a highly developed unit, with a large range of modern steel portal framed farm buildings together with retained traditional buildings.
"The family runs a successful mixed enterprise unit. The enterprise has been fully investigated by the business which already has the benefit of an operating and profitable free range unit."
Of the proposed expansion, the family said: "The new unit will be located to he north west of the existing poultry unit. The proposed building shall be 84.2m long by 22m wide.
"The birds shall have access to the land lying to the north of the proposed building.
"The land will be fenced using electric fencing to keep predators out and birds will be inspected at least once a day.
"The birds are free range and have an opportunity each day to exit the building and enter onto the designated ranging ground.
"The maximum stocking density for the unit is nine birds per square metre."
The family have also prepared for the amount of manure the birds will produce.
The application says: "A 16,000 free range unit is anticipated to produce 400 tonnes of manure within each 14-month cycle.
"The manure is proposed to be removed every four days using a conveyor belt system and then shall be directly applied to the land weather permitting.
"As manure is removed every four days there will be minimal manure stored within the building, thus reducing the odour of the building and the infestation of pests such as flies."
The council's planning officers have given the plans the go ahead subject to conditions.
They include ensuring building on the unit starts within five years, that delivery vehicles should only arrive at the site between 7am and 7pm and the building is used for the production and processing of eggs only.
