Planning application submitted for free-range chicken farm near Powys village

A PLANNING application to have a chicken farm for 32,000 free-range birds near the village of Arddleen has been submitted.

Powys County Council has received an application to build the egg-laying production unit at Trederwen Hall.

The dairy and beef farm is run by three partners and trades under the name of DH & VM Morgan & Son.

In the design and access statement, agents Roger Parry & Partners said: “The proposed diversification at Trederwen Hall is to ensure that there is a viable farming business operating in order to support three generations of the family.

“Farm businesses need to change and grow in response to market forces and legislation if they are to survive.

“Poultry egg-laying is becoming an important element in the Powys agricultural economy.”

According to the plans, the building which would house the 32,000 birds would be 90m x 33m wide and would have a service area office and egg store.

Roger Parry & Partners added: “The birds will have direct access from the north and south elevations of the building to dedicated pasture, which will be electric-fenced to keep out predators.

“The birds are brought in as young laying stock and remain in the egg production unit for some 14 months.

“After this time, the flock is removed and the whole building fully cleaned down internally and the new flock introduced to restart the egg-production cycle.”

Feed will be delivered three times a month and stored in silos on the site.

Eggs will be collected by a 7.5tonne lorry three times a week.

The main labour force for the eggproductions unit will be the existing farm workers who already live and work at Trederwen Hall and have no need to leave the holding to go to work.