A RETROSPECTIVE call for amendments to a previously granted building and slurry lagoon at a 700 herd Pembrokeshire dairy farm has been submitted to county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Bill Ridge of Vaynor Farm Ltd, Bethesda seeks retrospective permission for a replacement agricultural building for cattle housing, the retention of a slurry lagoon as built and associated works at Talybont Farm, Llawhaden.

A supporting statement through agent Cynllunio RW Planning Ltd said: “Bill Ridge farms at Vaynor Farm, trading as Vaynor Farm Ltd. The farm is a 645-acre farm compromising of owned and rented land, this supports a dairy herd of circa 700 cows. The dairy system is an extensive grass-based spring calving system.

“The application is made following receipt of a letter from the local authority planning enforcement department stating that the replacement agricultural building which had recently been erected required planning permission and that the lagoon also recently built seemed not to be in line with the approved plans of [the 2022 application] recently approved on site for the lagoon.

“Therefore, this application seeks retrospective planning permission for the retention of the building as built and the lagoon as built.”

It said the 22.72 by 13.33-metre agricultural building “will house the farm’s dairy replacement heifers as a replacement to the previous building on site,” and the lagoon is of a similar size, depth and capacity to the previously approved one, other than slight changes in positioning and orientation, providing 4,500square metres of slurry storage, which in combination with the existing store of 6,900cubic meters at Vaynor will provide over 170 days’ storage.

It went on to say: “All development is reasonably required for the purpose of agriculture. The applicant does not intend to increase the farm’s stocking rate as a result of this development.”

The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.

PLANS for a rural enterprise dwelling to support a Pembrokeshire horticultural business which supplies its produce to “some of the best restaurants in Wales” have been approved despite concerns from the local community council.

In an application recommended for approval at the April 22 meeting of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee, Southern Roots Organics/Awen Organics, through agent Preseli Planning Ltd, sought permission for a rural enterprise dwelling, track extension, and associated works at Eithin Farm, Felindre Farchog, near Nevern.

This application was presented to the Development Management Committee as local community council Nevern had objected to the application raising material planning matters, contrary to the officer recommendation for approval.

An officer report says Eithin Farm comprises about 25 acres of agricultural land, with an additional seven acres to be rented by the applicants; the applicants running a horticultural business from the site, using multiple polytunnels and employing irrigation systems which require careful management.

The report says the business has been trading for over three years and can support a full-time worker, meeting criteria which addresses planning for sustainable rural communities. The proposal is said to meet these requirements, and the officer’s report confirms a genuine need for the dwelling.

Nevern, in its objection, said: “The living accommodation is supposed to be part of the business, it needs to be closer to the sheds, making the whole enterprise more aesthetically pleasing. The area designated for future seasonal agricultural workers would be an areas that would be more appropriate for a traditional cottage. A restriction on the house, a tied house needs to be considered.”

Objections to the plan have also been received from members of the public raising concerns including foul water disposal and the application “has nothing to do with the new current business”.

However, a number of representations have expressed support for the application. Issues raised include the benefit of applicants living on site, helping to reduce travel and carbon emissions, and confirming support for local, small-scale horticulture, and the contribution the business makes to the community.

The report said there is an identified need for a rural worker’s dwelling, especially due to the need to quickly respond to changes in crop conditions and potential failures in irrigation or ventilation systems, the proposal “considered to be acceptable and a recommendation to grant permission is made”.

Speaking at the meeting, Adam and Dee of Southern Roots Organics/Awen Organics said the business employed 14 workers, including themselves, “supplying some of the best restaurants in Wales,” with thousands of trees planted, the business also having been shortlisted for an organic farm award.

Members heard they currently had a 20-minute commute to the site from Cilgerran, often starting work at 5.30am and working through to as late as 10pm.

Members also heard that alternative locations, as favoured by Nevern Community Council, would lead to the loss of apple trees in an orchard.

Members backed the officer recommendation, committee member John Hogg praising the applicants on their achievements.

A CALL to change Pembrokeshire farmland to a garden and wildflower meadow has been given the go-ahead despite it falling under a condition restricting the loss of such agricultural land.

In an application recommended for approval at the April 21 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Peter Jones sought permission for a change of use from agricultural land to garden, vegetable growing area and wildflower meadow/grove at Old Furzton Cottage, Maidenwells, near Pembroke.

The application was before committee members rather than being decided by officers under delegated powers as it was contrary to a policy of the development plan but was being recommended for approval.

An officer report for committee members said: “The proposal is for the change of use of the land to enable the agricultural field to be used for domestic purposes in conjunction with the dwelling known as Old Furzton Cottage. The land subject to this application is located outside of the curtilage of Old Furzton Cottage.

“Justification has been provided with the application to explain that the occupiers of the dwelling have a desire for a larger garden area to provide additional space for growing of fruit, salad and vegetables, tree planting and wildflower planting.”

One potential sticking point was the proposed site, some 0.4ha of land, falling into a Grade 3a agricultural land classification, defined as Best and Most Versatile (BMV) land, which has tight planning controls against its potential loss.

The report added: “The use of the land at present is for agricultural purposes including making of hay and grazing of livestock, as such the land is underused for agricultural purposes. The development subject to this application would enable some agricultural use to continue, with the production of food from the site.

“Further to this there would be a net benefit to green infrastructure and biodiversity on the site. For these reasons there is justification for the small loss of BMV land.”

At the meeting, committee chair Cllr Mark Carter read out a submission form the applicant, who was unable to attend the meeting, saying the land had been purchased from Pembrokeshire County Council with the intention of creating a low-intensity and environmentally sustainable form of development.

Local member Cllr Steve Alderman said his first concern had been the loss of the BMV land, but pointed out the proposal would offer “massive biodiversity increases,” moving approval.

Members unanimously backed approval of the scheme.