AMENDED plans for a rural mid Pembrokeshire slurry lagoon have been given the go-ahead after an initial scheme was altered due to the presence of mine workings.
In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Owen Thomas, through agent Preseli Planning Ltd, sought permission for the excavation of an earth bank nutrient ‘slurry lagoon’ store of 60 by 48 metres near to New House Farm, some one kilometre from the village of Cresselly.
A supporting statement said: “The dairy farming operation at New House Farm covers approximately 290 hectares of mixed tenure land with the herd comprising of 250 milking cows, which have a yield of between 6-9 thousand litres per cow and associated youngstock.”
It added: “The current slurry storage arrangements at New House are insufficient based on the livestock numbers to accommodate a five-month slurry storage capacity. The purpose of the proposal is to increase the slurry and dirty water storage capacity for the farming enterprise to be compliant with the control of Agricultural Pollution (Wales) Regulations 2021 (CoAPR) requirements.
“It is not the applicant’s intention to increase stock levels at the holding. The existing slurry store on the farmstead following the deduction of rainfall and freeboard has a capacity of 1,178 cubic metres.”
It said the required capacity would be 5,481 cubic metres over a five-month period, leading to a current shortfall of 4,303 cubic metres, which the proposal would address.
It added: “A further environmental benefit bought by the development is the nutrient store would allow the spreading of nutrients during suitable weather conditions, rather than needing to be disposed of in unfavourable weather conditions.”
Local community council Jeffreyston raised no objections but noted concerns about its size, although recognising the development is required to meet legislation, requesting all appropriate mitigation measures would be explored and implemented.
The Coal Authority objected to the original proposed location, owing to the presence of a recorded mine shaft and associated zone of influence, leading to an amended scheme moving the store some 150 metres.
An officer report recommending approval for the amended scheme said: “The principle of the development is considered acceptable, given its direct functional relationship with the agricultural enterprise and the demonstrated operational need for additional storage capacity.
“The proposal would remain closely associated with the existing farm holding and would not result in the introduction of an unrelated use within the countryside.”
It added: “The proposal would improve slurry management arrangements at the holding and assist in reducing the risk of pollution incidents associated with insufficient storage capacity.”
The application was conditionally approved.
