Farm buildings at Langdon Mill Farm, Jeffreyston, Kilgetty

What was proposed

Two agricultural buildings were proposed: heifer accommodation, slurry separation and dewatering facilities, with associated yard areas and landscaping.

“Proposal: Erection of a Heifer Accommodation Building, Slurry Separation/Dewatering Building and Associated Yard Areas…”

Officer report

The site

The proposal was at a large dairy farm with extensive existing buildings, nearby homes, open fields, woodland and a watercourse.

“Langdon Mill Farm is a dairy farm extending to approximately 1,215 hectares comprising 1,013 hectares of owned land and 202 hectares of rented land, located approximately 1 kilometre to the north of Jeffreyston, with a further 455 hectares of land with slurry spreading agreements. It has a milking herd of approximately 2,000 cows which are housed indoors for the majority of the year, with dry cows and heifers grazed outdoors when weather conditions permit.”

“The farm has an extensive range of large outbuildings on land running east to west and bounding the local highway to the north. A recently approved calf and weaned calf accommodation building to the south of the application site is under construction and nearing completion. There are scattered residential properties along this highway, two of which are occupied by farm workers. The area is rural in nature with large open fields and parcels of woodland.”

Officer report

Earlier farm development

Previous permissions covered calf accommodation, condition approvals, a hoof-trimming building and a dry cow, maternity and handling building.

“Planning permission for erection of a calf building and weaned calf building with associate yard areas was approved on 19 th September 2024 (ref. 24/0050/PA). An application to discharge of Conditions 3 (Surface Water Disposal), 4 (Construction Traffic Management Plan), 5 (Construction Environmental Management Plan) and 6 (Lighting Scheme) was part approved 13th December 2024 (ref. 24/0680/DC).”

“15/1076/PA New agricultural building comprising dry cow accommodation, maternity and handling facilities. Approved 9 th August 2016.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval after final approval of the habitats assessment, subject to conditions covering plans, environmental management, traffic, landscaping and timing.

“It is recommended that delegated power be given to the Head of Planning to APPROVE the application following final approval of a Habitats Regulations Assessment and subject to the following conditions: • Standard time limit for implementation • Development in accordance with the approved plans and Green Infrastructure Statement • Development in accordance with Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) • Development in accordance with a Construction Traffic…”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

The buildings were considered compatible with the farm and landscape, while improving animal welfare, slurry management, biodiversity and operational efficiency.

“Landgon Mill Farm is in the countryside and operates an extensive dairy farming operation. The proposed heifer building and slurry separation building would be constructed on the eastern part of the farm complex, with the new heifer accommodation building located to the south of the recently constructed calf accommodation building and the proposed slurry separation/dewatering building to be sited between the partially constructed Anaerobic Digestion plant (AD) and the…”

“The proposed buildings would be sited adjacent to existing buildings and are of a scale and form compatible with the existing agricultural buildings. They would be seen in context with the farm and would have a limited visual impact within the wider landscape. The proposal is compliant with policies SP 1, SP 16 and criterion 1 of policy GN.1 of the LDP.”

Officer report

Public concerns

One third-party representation raised concerns about environmental effects, the local community and animal welfare, which officers assessed as acceptable.

“One third party representation has been received which raises concern over the impact of the proposal on the environment, local community and animal welfare. The application has been assessed having due regard to environmental impact and local amenity and is deemed to be acceptable in compliance with the relevant LDP policies.”

Officer report

Who addressed members

The applicant addressed the committee, and members then asked whether keeping operations on one farm would reduce vehicle movements.

What members discussed

Members supported the proposal because a site visit confirmed its necessity and benefits for biodiversity and animal welfare, while recognising pressures on dairy farming.

“The Committee proceeded to discuss the application and the key points were noted as follows:”

“Councillor John Davies expressed strong support for the application, noting that the site visit confirmed its necessity and benefits for biodiversity and animal welfare. He highlighted the economic pressures on the dairy industry and stated he had no hesitation in supporting the proposal. • The Chair added that it was a pleasure to support the farming sector and welcomed the opportunity to do so.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The motion to approve was carried by twelve votes, with no votes against and no abstentions.

“The vote, undertaken by way of a roll call, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows:”

“There were no votes against or abstentions.”

Minutes

The decision

Delegated power was given to the Head of Planning to approve the application after final habitats assessment approval and subject to the report’s conditions.

“That delegated power be given to the Head of Planning to APPROVE the application following final approval of a Habitats Regulations Assessment and subject to the conditions outlined in Section 1.1 of the report.”

Minutes