BROTHERS WIN THEIR BATTLE TO EXPAND FARM

Building will help meet welfare standards

TWO brothers have won their fight to be allowed to expand their farm to cope with increased production.

Henry and William James’ plans to increase the size of their dairy farm will also benefit their herd of cows.

The brothers, who run Bradda Farm in Biddulph Moor, already have a contract to supply milk to supermarket chain Morrisons.

They purchased the property in 2021 and since then have grown the farm to its maximum capacity with the infrastructure already in place.

They were asking councillors to grant permission for a new steelframed agricultural building to house and feed cattle with an under floor slurry store.

But planning officers at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council recommended that the application be refused and suggested an alternative site.

They said that the proposed development would be ‘harmful to the character and appearance of the rural area’.

At a planning committee meeting, councillors heard that the development would help increase production, increase welfare and offer a sustainable future in the dairy industry.

Henry James, aged 23, told councillors: “This development will help us to further improve our welfare and environmental standards to meet the ever increasing demands set for us in the contract.

“The proposed development will give our cows maximum comfort in a spacious, well-ventilated and healthy environment. This in turn will increase production, reduce illness and disease whilst also lowering our carbon footprint.

“Farming is a difficult industry with high costs, challenging weather and fine margins. As a family farm we feel this proposed development will help us stay competitive.”

Despite planning officers recommending refusal, council members were supportive of the application.

Councillor Ian Plant said: “I think we’ve just been educated there by a young 23-year-old farmer, I think they should be encouraged.”

Councillor Paul Roberts agreed and added: “Most of my family are farmers and we have been educated to see two young lads come in and say what they’re doing and what they want to do, and they want to move forward.

“We need the younger ones to come forward and run the business. Good luck to them.”

Members of the planning committee voted unanimously to overturn the officers’ recommendation and approve the application.