PLANS for a rural enterprise dwelling to support a Pembrokeshire horticultural business are being recommended for approval despite concerns from the local community council.

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

This application is being presented to the Development Management Committee as local community council Nevern has 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 says 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.

It concludes: “The evidence submitted with this application, having been assessed by PCNPA’s Agricultural Advisors, is sufficient to demonstrate that an essential need exists for a rural enterprise dwelling, and that the proposal meets the tests set out in [policy].

“The siting and design of the dwelling are considered acceptable with no concerns in relation to landscape impact, amenity or biodiversity. Overall, the proposal is considered to be acceptable and a recommendation to grant permission is made.”

A CONDITION restricting a rural Pembrokeshire home to agricultural workers-only has been removed after its occupants lived in breach of that for some two decades.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Richard Tadman and Rebecca Brinton, through agent Carver Knowles, sought a certificate of lawfulness for non-compliance of an agricultural/forestry occupancy condition for Brynmelyn, Mynachlogddu.

The condition restricting the occupancy was part of a consent for the farmhouse granted back in 1985.

An application for a certificate of lawfulness allows an applicant to stay at a development if they can provide proof of occupancy without any enforcement challenge over a prolonged period.

A supporting statement accompanying the application said evidence had been gathered to verify that since May 2006 the property has been occupied in breach of that condition, Ms Brinton purchasing the property that year, with Mr Tadman living there until 2022 and Ms Brinton continuing to do so.

When Mr Tadman was living at Brynmelyn he was self-employed as a mechanic, and Ms Brinton has not worked in agriculture or forestry, other than the couple keeping a few animals including chickens, ducks, turkeys, and pigs for a short period from 2008 until 2010 when the pigs had to be culled following a TB outbreak, the poultry succumbing to foxes.

The statement said council tax payment records to Pembrokeshire County Council showed the occupancy from 2006, adding that many of the previous owners apart from the original has not got an agricultural worker connection either,

An officer report recommending approval, which led to the issuing of a certificate of lawfulness, said: “The occupation of Brynmelyn of persons not employed in agriculture or forestry has been continuous for a period in excess of 10 years. It therefore represents a use unauthorised by the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

“The use of the dwelling exceeds the time limit for the Local Planning Authority to take any enforcement action, in accordance with Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) and / or the preceding Town and Country Planning Act 1971. This authority considers that a Lawful Development Certificate can be issued.”

SHEEP farmers in Wales are being urged to pay close attention to the mineral and trace element supplementation of lactating ewes and lambs this spring and summer following what has been described as a “perfect storm” of nutritional challenges over the winter.

The warning comes from Rumenco’s Technical Services Manager, Dr Alison Bond, who said a combination of forage shortages, heavy rainfall and the increased use of brassica forage crops may have left some flocks at risk of underlying deficiencies.

She said that although sheep may not always show obvious outward signs, deficits in minerals and trace elements can still affect key areas of flock performance, including ewe milk production, lamb growth rates and the future condition of breeding ewes.

Dr Bond said: “Many sheep farms will have endured unprecedented conditions over recent months, with forage supplies depleted after a dry summer.

“This may have resulted in lower quality fodder being fed, or greater reliance on grazed fodder crops, for example. In the case of brassicas, which include swedes, turnips and forage rape, there are specific issues around iodine, vitamin B1 and other trace minerals, including copper, selenium and cobalt, that could present risks.”

She added that heavy winter rainfall in many areas is also likely to have increased soil nutrient leaching, particularly on lighter land, raising the risk of mineral deficiencies in early season grazing.

To help address the problem, Dr Bond is recommending that ewes and lambs at grass are supplemented with a high-quality mineral and trace element lick.

She said mineral buckets can provide an efficient method of supplementation and pointed to Rumenco’s Supalyx 4 in 1 bucket as one option designed to cover a broad range of potential deficiencies.

According to Dr Bond, the product includes plant essential oils intended to stimulate appetite and support gut health, alongside trace elements such as zinc and selenium in a bio-available form to help support hoof health, udder health and immune function.

She also highlighted the importance of vitamins, including vitamin B12 to support growth rates where pastures may be low in cobalt, and vitamin B1, or thiamine, which is particularly relevant where sheep have been grazed on brassicas.

Dr Bond explained: “Brassicas can cause shifts in the rumen bacteria environment which may affect the natural production of thiamine by the rumen.

“Furthermore, certain brassica crops can lead to the production of thiaminase which can destroy thiamine, leading to a deficiency. Vitamin B1 deficiency causes a condition called Cerebrocortical Necrosis, with common symptoms including blindness, head pressing and stargazing, something most farmers will have seen at some point.”

She said brassicas can also create problems with iodine absorption.

“Brassicas also contain glucosinolates, which are converted by hydrolysis into goitrogens in the rumen,” she said. “Goitrogens interfere with iodine absorption, which commonly results in the disruption of thyroid function. This is a cause of the condition goitre in sheep, which shows as a swelling of the thyroid gland.”

Dr Bond said adequate supplementation should not be viewed simply as a short-term measure, but as an investment in flock health and future performance.

“With market prices forecast to remain strong for the foreseeable future, ensuring that the flock avoids the effects of mineral and trace element deficiencies should help to prevent in-season health and performance problems,” she said.

“It will also give lambs the best chance of reaching their full potential as quickly as possible. Equally importantly, it will have a positive impact on the condition of ewes, which should ideally not lose more than 0.5 body condition score during lactation.

“Keeping ewes in good condition during lactation is the first step towards a successful tupping later in the year and a healthy lamb crop in 2027.”

Images supplied with the article are copyright Tim Scrivener, Agriphoto, and are for use only in connection with this story.

If you want, I can also turn this into a more natural Herald-style farming piece with a stronger intro and less promotional wording.