A CALL to let a 950-herd north Pembrokeshire dairy farm to keep a farm shed built without permission a decade ago which was expected to be approved has instead been put on temporary hold, national park planners heard.

In an application recommended for conditional approval at Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee meeting of December 4, Trewern Farms Ltd is seeking permission for the retention of the agricultural building and lay down area at Trewern Farm, Felindre Farchog.

The application is part of a wider complex planning history associated with the site.

A report for Park planners says: “Trewern Farm is operated as a zero grazing style dairy farm with 304 hectares located on two separate parcels of land, one at Trewern with the remainder being at Penpedwast, adjacent to Castell Henllys. The farm has a dairy herd of approximately 950 cows.

“Trewern Farm has expanded significantly over recent years with many of the buildings and structures on site having been erected without the prior benefit of planning permission, and having since been regularised through a combination of retrospective applications and certificates of lawfulness.

“The building subject of this application is believed to have been constructed in 2014. The site currently comprises an agricultural shed immediately adjoining another shed and is used for cubicle housing.

“A slurry lagoon, silage clamps and 12 of the newer agricultural buildings are now lawful as Certificates of Lawfulness were granted for these whilst the Authority was awaiting an Environmental Impact Assessment to be submitted by the applicants for the 2015 planning application to regularise the unauthorised buildings.

“However, this is the last of the outstanding agricultural buildings which are not lawful, and an enforcement notice was served in May 2018 requiring its removal. This notice was appealed in November 2019 and is currently being held in abeyance by the Planning Inspectorate.”

It says the building referred to in the application “is described as being designed to house cattle in a series of cubicles, and forms part of a longer set of buildings running along the southern section of the farming complex,” adding: “The livestock numbers are not proposed for increase as a result of this application but will be as secured [by a planning consent] restricted to no more than 960 milking cows with 1020 maximum excluding calves.”

Local community council Nevern has said it has “grave concerns” about the application, asking, amongst other things, how the 960 cattle limit will be policed and the important woodland will be protected.

At the December 4 meeting, planners were told the application would be deferred to a future meeting as not all received documentation had been published on the national park’s planning website.

The application is expected to return to the January meeting, committee chair Madelin Havard offering her apologies to the applicant for the delay.

New research sparks concerns over food affordability

SHOCKING new research commissioned by the Liberal Democrats reveals that 58% of people in Wales anticipate food prices will rise due to the Family Farm Tax introduced in the recent Budget.

In response, the Liberal Democrats have tabled an amendment to reject the government’s Finance Bill, citing its damaging impact on family farms and wider rural communities.

Worrying changes in food habits

The research highlights alarming trends in how Welsh residents plan to cope with rising food costs. Nearly half (47%) of those expecting increases said they would switch to cheaper alternatives, while 32% revealed they would cut back on the amount of food they buy.

These changes could have significant health implications, with 19% of respondents admitting they are likely to buy less fresh fruit and vegetables if prices go up. The knock-on effect on small businesses is also evident, with 16% of respondents saying they would turn to larger supermarkets, posing further challenges for independent retailers already grappling with the rise in employers’ NIC contributions and the potential impact of the bus fare cap on foot traffic.

Liberal Democrats push for action

The Liberal Democrats are calling on the government to scrap the Family Farm Tax, arguing that its effects extend far beyond the farming sector. They warn of serious consequences for families and pensioners struggling to manage rising costs, urging support for their manifesto pledge to boost farming budgets by £1 billion, including £50 million annually for Wales.

“A tax that hits every family”

Welsh Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader David Chadwick MP said:
“I will fight this disastrous tax hike every step of the way and ensure Wales’ voices are heard in Westminster. The impact of this tax hike goes beyond farming communities—families and pensioners across Wales will be hit if food prices go up.

“The Budget has proven that the new Labour government does not understand rural communities or farmers and their vital role in food security, environmental protection, and the Welsh economy.

“We are urging the Labour government to axe the tax now. If not, the impact on already struggling communities will be catastrophic.”

LOCAL Conservative Member of the Senedd (MS) Samuel Kurtz has urged Pembrokeshire’s MP to oppose what he calls “vindictive” changes to inheritance tax (IHT) on farms, as the Conservative Party gears up to force a vote on the issue in Parliament.

Conservative MPs will use their opposition day debate on Wednesday (Dec 4) to push for a vote on Labour’s controversial proposal that would increase IHT payments on farmland.

In her first Budget as Chancellor, Rachel Reeves announced plans to reform agricultural property relief (APR) and business property relief (BPR). Conservatives argue the changes could saddle farming families with tax bills running into millions of pounds.

Samuel Kurtz MS said: “Labour’s vindictive family farm tax threatens to destroy British farming as we know it. Farmers in Pembrokeshire, Wales, and across the UK will face devastating consequences. On Wednesday, MPs across the country have a choice: will they vote to axe the tax and save the family farm, or will they turn their backs on rural communities and support this damaging policy?”

According to the National Farmers Union (NFU), three-quarters of farmers could be affected by the changes. The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) estimates that the average 250-acre arable farm would need to sell 20% of its land to meet the new tax burden.

Kurtz added: “Two weeks ago, thousands of farmers descended on Westminster to make their voices heard. So far, the government has refused to listen. Labour MPs, including Pembrokeshire’s, now have a chance to side with British farming or remain silent. Which route will they take?”