Cattle breeder hoping to build house

A west Stirlingshire farmer is hoping to build a new house to help bolster his business.

Robert Taylor has submitted an application to Stirling

Council planners seeking to build a house with a newlyformed road at land 170 metres north of Rosebank near Balfron.

In documents submitted with the proposal, agents for Mr Taylor described him as an experienced and passionate Pedigree Shorthorn Cattle breeder who has started“from humble beginnings”and was now gradually building up his farming operation by using his professional income to supplement the farming business.

They added:“After struggling for many years to establish his foundation herd of Shorthorn cattle herd by remotely renting accommodation and hiring in stockmanship skills, Mr Taylor has now purchased an existing large tract of agricultural land to expand his herd and to leave his employed position and move to a self-employed full-time farmer.

“Mr Taylor has done well to establish his herd through challenging times for his farming business, whilst living off site.

“He is now in a position to build a farmhouse and a home for his family on the recently purchased land at Nether Glinns. As he has discovered, it is critical that a responsible person lives on site to ensure all animal welfare, cross compliance, security and health and safety requirements are covered.

“The new farming businesses established by Mr Taylor is progressive and innovative and will contribute to the local economy, with potential to support a number of younger people in agriculture. The land at Nether Glinns will be subject to substantial investment.

“Based on the current and proposed numbers of livestock for 2021 onwards and the area farmed, the labour requirement calculations demonstrate the need for at least 2.9 labour units.

“However, the sale preparation and showing hours are an estimated requirement as there are no industry and/or government accepted standards which account for the time required to bring out cattle for show and sale. It is expected that the hours associated with sales and showing have been underestimated in these calculations.

“The labour requirement calculations clearly justify the labour needs for this business.”

Council planners are expected to make a recommendation on the application in due course.