CONSULTATION of a proposal for a new agricultural building to house livestock at a well-known farm south of Ellesmere is expected to close next week.

Plans for the building at Winston Farm, in Tetchill near Ellesmere, were submitted to Shropshire Council at the start of December.

Agents Roger Parry & Partners submitted a design and access statement on behalf of Steve Jones, who owns the farm, and say the new building is vital for animal welfare.

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The statement said: “The proposed building would be a modern agricultural building, which is required to fulfil the functional needs of the existing farm business and to provide accommodation for the livestock in line with the welfare of the Farmed Animal Regulations.

“The extension of current facilities at the farm is required in order to enable the efficient operation of the existing agricultural unit.”

It added: “The scheme will not create sporadic development in the countryside as the proposed building will be an extension and infill on an existing livestock building on the farm.

“The scale and dimensions of the agricultural building are to maximise the space and quality for the intended use and to minimise the visual impact of the building upon the surrounding area.

“The development has been designed to ensure that the farming operations can be managed in the most efficient manner and will ensure the application complies with the latest animal welfare regulations.

“It is to note there will be no addition in livestock numbers and it is for welfare and TB purposes that an additional shed is required at Winston Farm.”

The statement continued to say that the application ‘forms part of the ongoing improvements to the successful farming business incorporating beef, sheep and several other farm diversification projects’.

It says that one benefit is to reduce water pollution because if the livestock are indoors, manure created ‘will not be exposed to water, therefore covering of the manure will reduce the water pollution and runoff produced’.

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The application states that around 50 metres of hedgerow will be moved and/or replanted for the new building and there will be no alterations to the farm’s current access.

The report concluded: “The proposal will have a positive effect in relation to climate change and protecting the environment.”

For more, search 23/05158/FUL at Shropshire Council’s planning portal.