Council approves proposal to build farm for 100,000 chickens
AN APPLICATION to build a farm for 100,000 broiler chickens near land used by the MoD (Ministry of Defence) as a shooting range, has been approved by councillors.
Powys County Council’s planning committee discussed the application by Rob Powell on Thursday, September 12.
Mr Powell wants to build two poultry buildings with feed bins and all the associated infrastructure at land south of Blaenbwlch Farm, Maesmynis, Builth Wells.
At the meeting, planning officer Louise Evans added that a belt of conifer trees would be planted to “screen” the units from parts of the nearby B4520 Brecon road.
Councillor David Price (Independent
– Llanafanfawr) said: “I’m very familiar with this area. This is a first-class application in a remote area.
“The conifer planting is absolutely sensible.
“Normally we would want native trees, but in the military area there are large formal conifer blocks of planting – this would blend in, it will screen very well.”
Cllr Price added that the farm’s nearest residents – at the Griffin Inn, a former pub – had no objections to the development and he would be happy to move the application.
Councillor Michael J Jones (Independent – Churchstoke) asked: “Have the MoD been consulted?
“I wouldn’t like a stray shot to hit them!”
Ms Evans replied that the MoD had been notified of the application just like other neighbouring landowners.
“There was no comments from them, “added Ms Evans.
Councillor Hywel Lewis (Independent – Llangunllo), who was in favour of the application plan, had some advice for those submitting future chicken farm applications.
Cllr Lewis said: “I notice that water comes from supplies in that area.
“I would make a plea to the agents.These huge units use a colossal amount of water – they should put rain harvesting as part of the application.”
He believed collecting the rainwater for use in the chicken farm would help the environment.
The application was passed unanimously.
The two broiler rearing units will measure 104m by 24.7m with a ridge height of 6.282m.
This is will be to take a maximum of 100,000 broiler chickens that are specifically reared for meat production.
The process takes 45 days with each flock and, according to the report, Mr Powell intends to rear eight flocks a year.