Farming

Proposed restrictions on temporary campsites ‘will leave farmers poorer’

Published

3 weeks ago

August 25, 2024

A NEW proposal by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority (PCNPA) has sparked significant concern among local farmers and landowners who rely on seasonal camping to supplement their incomes.

The Authority is currently consulting on introducing an Article 4 Direction, which would remove the existing permitted development rights that allow landowners to operate temporary campsites for up to 28 days without needing planning permission.

The consultation, which runs until 20 September 2024, focuses on the growing number of temporary campsites within the National Park.

These sites, often referred to as “pop-up” campsites, have become increasingly popular, particularly during peak tourist seasons. Currently, under the 28-day rule, landowners can set up these sites without the bureaucratic burden of obtaining planning permission, which has provided a vital revenue stream for many in the rural community.

However, the PCNPA has raised concerns about the environmental and social impact of these campsites. There have been reports of some operators exceeding the 28-day limit, with some sites allegedly running for several months, leading to what the Authority describes as “unregulated” development that could potentially harm the National Park’s delicate ecosystem.

Sara Morris, Director of Placemaking at PCNPA, emphasised the need for greater control over these temporary sites. “While these forms of development can offer economic benefits to landowners, they also present challenges in terms of environmental impact and compliance with the National Park’s planning policies,” she stated.

The proposed Article 4 Direction, if implemented, would mean that any landowner wishing to establish a temporary campsite would first need to obtain planning permission, regardless of the duration. This measure, according to the PCNPA, is aimed at ensuring that all developments within the National Park adhere to the same standards and do not undermine its natural beauty or infrastructure.

In addition to the Article 4 Direction, the Authority is also considering a voluntary code of conduct for exempted organisations that operate campsites. This code would aim to improve standards and promote best practices among those running temporary camping sites under existing exemptions.

The proposal has drawn criticism from various quarters, particularly among local farmers and the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), who argue that such restrictions could have a detrimental impact on the local economy. Many landowners in Pembrokeshire have come to rely on the income generated from seasonal camping to support their primary agricultural activities, especially in the face of economic challenges and rising costs.

Local farmer Rhys Jones expressed his concerns about the potential loss of income. “For many of us, these 28-day campsites are a lifeline. The extra income helps keep our farms afloat, especially during difficult years. If we have to go through the planning process, it’s going to add time, cost, and uncertainty,” he said.

The contrast with regulations in England, where the permitted development period has been extended to 60 days, further complicates the issue. Critics argue that the proposed changes in Pembrokeshire could put Welsh landowners at a competitive disadvantage compared to their English counterparts.

Environmental concerns have also been voiced by local residents. John Davies, a resident of St Davids, stated, “The National Park is a unique landscape that needs to be protected. Allowing these campsites to pop up without oversight could lead to irreversible damage.”

The PCNPA has encouraged all interested parties to participate in the consultation and share their views. The feedback gathered during this process will be crucial in shaping the Authority’s final decision on how to manage camping and caravan sites within the National Park.

As the deadline for the consultation approaches, the debate continues to grow, with stakeholders on all sides weighing the potential benefits and drawbacks of the proposed Article 4 Direction. Whether the PCNPA will move forward with the plan remains to be seen, but it is clear that the decision will have lasting implications for the future of land use and tourism in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

Farming

Collaboration at the heart of new funding scheme for farmers

Published

4 days ago

September 9, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE development phase of the new Integrated Natural Resources Scheme (INRS) is open for applications until 27 September.

The INRS will enable farmers and others to work together to improve our natural resources and deliver benefits to farm and rural businesses.

A webinar has been arranged by Farming Connect on 11 September to give farmers the chance to learn more about the scheme and ask questions.

Although the scheme is separate from the Sustainable Farming Scheme it will be used to inform the collaborative element of the scheme during this interim period.

This scheme forms part of a preparatory phase of activities which may lead to collaborative projects ready to participate in the Collaboration Layer of the Sustainable Farming Scheme when it is introduced.

The scheme will provide funding for implementing nature-based solutions at the appropriate scale, targeting action and interventions to enhance and sustainably manage our natural resources.

Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, said: “The scheme has been developed to focus on collaborative action – enabling farmers and land managers to do something they do very well – which is working together to deliver innovative solutions. These projects will improve our natural resources in a way which delivers benefits to farm and rural businesses, rural communities, and wider societal benefits.

“We are committed to supporting farmers to produce food in a sustainable way, whilst taking action to respond to the climate emergency and to help reverse the decline in biodiversity.”

This could include projects which enhance our carbon-rich soils such as peatlands, creating and managing woodland, implementing natural flood risk management, enhancing access and public engagement, protecting landscape and historic features. Or, deliver actions to enhance priority and semi natural habitats, improving the connectivity, scale, adaptability, or diversity of semi natural habitats and our natural features, ensuring ecosystem resilience. Projects could also strengthen the resilience of Wales’ network of protected sites by working at a landscape scale to improve connectivity and condition.

Further information is available here www.gov.wales/integrated-natural-resources-scheme-rules-booklet-html

Farming

Royal Welsh Winter Fair livestock competitions schedule now available

Published

4 days ago

September 9, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE livestock competitions schedule for the 2024 Royal Welsh Winter Fair is now available online.

The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society is inviting farmers, breeders and exhibitors to visit the official website – https://rwas.wales/winter-fair/competitions/ – to view the full competition details, entry requirements and key dates.

This year’s winter fair, scheduled for November 25 and 26, promises to showcase the best livestock from across the country in a festive celebration.

Pictured above: The supreme cattle champion at last year’s winter fair.

Farming

Funded Farming Connect services lightens financial burden for family farm

Published

4 days ago

September 9, 2024

Tom Sinclair

INVESTING in skills training and business advice can be expensive for a family farm, but securing subsided and fully-funded Farming Connect courses and services has lightened the financial burden for a third-generation Radnorshire poultry and livestock producer.

George Wozencraft is following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Abraham, and father, Malcolm, at Glanalders, Nantmel.

Beef is produced from a 30-cow suckler herd and lamb from 250 Improved Welsh and Welsh Mule ewes.

In 2011, the Wozencrafts diversified into free range egg production with a 16,000-bird system, now producing eggs for Stonegate from Clarence Court hens.

To help put the business on a firm footing for the future, George has accessed a range of Farming Connect services.

As a member of its Radnorshire business discussion group, he has been encouraged to assess all aspects of his business, including scrutinising costs.

This exercise has proved invaluable in helping him to understand which enterprises are performing the best, to inform growth and investment going forward.

To build on this, George has also completed a Farming Connect e-learning course on understanding the fundamentals to a successful business and completed a book keeping course through the Farming Connect skills programme.

Under the Farming Connect Our Farms Network, he has embarked on a project helping him to improve efficiency and bird welfare in his poultry flock, while sharing that knowledge with other producers too.

The project has seen him replacing strip lights with LED lighting to become more
self-sufficient in energy while improving bird health and welfare and reducing the farms carbon footprint.

“We are looking at our electricity costs and the savings we are making, and any improvements to bird welfare from having low intensity lighting,’’ George explains.

The results of this on-farm project, which has included input from his packer, vet and genetics supplier, will be shared with other farmers later this Autumn in an open event.

To further improve efficiency, he is also targeting home-produced nutrients to where they are needed, informed by a Nutrient Management Plan funded by Farming Connect.

Twenty soil samples were taken and, based on these results, lime has been applied to improve pH levels and reduce reliance on synthetic fertiliser.

Farming Connect has not only helped to encourage that responsible approach to soil fertility but responsible and effective use of medicine too.

Through a Farming Connect clinic involving Ddole Road Vets George says he now better understands the importance of using antibiotics only when and where they are needed.

“The clinic concentrated my mind on the value of targeting treatments, not just the benefits of reducing those to prevent resistance but reducing our costs too because if we don’t need to use antibiotics then we are saving money.’’

Farm safety and first aid are at the forefront of George’s mind with recent deaths and accidents involving fellow farmers.

To ensure that he is better informed on how to react in an emergency situation he has undertaken an emergency first aid at work course, part-funded by Farming Connect, and completed a health and safety e-learning module.

George’s wife, Kate, is a nurse but should a medical emergency arise while she is off-farm, he knew he needed to be in a position to respond.

A new addition to the family, their son, Bertie, added further significance to that.

When George looks to the future, he also appreciates that there is much knowledge he can gain from farmers who have been in the industry for longer than him.

He therefore applied to the Farming Connect mentoring service and was matched to beef and sheep producer John Yeomans.

“We wanted to improve calving and our calf growth rates and knew that John was a good role model in how to produce cattle well, I am really looking forward to working through some of our issues with him,’’ says George.

After experiencing first-hand the benefits Farming Connect services have brought to him personally and to the farm business, he encourages other farmers to tap into these too.

“I had never been someone to make the most of what is out there until recently but I am so pleased that I now am,’’ he says.

“If we don’t use these services, it might be that one day they will no longer be available to us.

“So many of them are heavily subsidised or fully funded, it just doesn’t make sense to not make full use of what is on offer.’’

Completed activity is automatically recorded on Farming Connect’s secure online data storage tool ‘Storfa Sgiliau’ and can be easily accessed at any time.