Rural Business Consultancy Planning Statement

Rural Business Consultancy

2100130

Re: Erection of a new Agricultural Building, Ballakilpheric Farm, Colby.

In assessing the planning application for the erection of an agricultural buildings in field 414754 please take the following points into consideration:

• Ballakilpheric farm is tenanted by Ballagawne Farm Ltd who are applying for planning permission to erect a new agricultural building for the housing of livestock.
• The proposed building is $36.56 \mathrm{~m} \times 12.2 \mathrm{~m}$ with a 1.5 m overhang.
• Ballagawne Farm Ltd are principally a dairy farming business, based at Ballagawne farm. They currently milk 240 dairy cows and rear all the calves either for replacements or beef along with purchasing more beef cattle annually to rear for the local beef trade.
• They have leased Ballakilpheric farm for the past 10+ years and this arrangement is set to continue.
• The farm is approximately 544acres, all of which is leased by the business on medium to long term arrangements.
• The farm business currently has a labour requirement of approximately 7.14 standard labour units. See attached.
• This business is Red Tractor Farm Assured and supplies milk to the Isle of Man Creamery and Beef to Isle of Man Meats.
• Currently there is insufficient stock housing facilities available to the business. As a result, some stock has to be outwintered on winter forage crops. As a result, there is increased labour demand to move fences daily and also the associated soil damage and risk of erosion as the winters get wetter.
• The proposed building would allow for more stock to be housed in purpose-built accommodation, reduce the risk of soil structure damage and erosion plus simplify the feeding and management of the cattle as there would be more stock housed on the existing site.
• The business recently leased the neighbouring farm to Ballakilpheric - Ballavair. Increasing the amount of grazing and support land available within one block.
• The proposed building will be located adjacent to the existing buildings at Ballakilpheric. Some soil will be moved to level the site. This soil will remain on site with an earth bank constructed to limit the impact of the weather and also provide screening. The earth bank will be allowed to grass over naturally.
• Roof water will drain into existing drainage system.

• Building at Ballakilpheric will help to centralise the beef cattle rearing enterprise. Ballagawne farm is central to the dairy enterprise and Ballacreggan is central to the young stock and dairy heifer rearing enterprise. This will improve operational efficiencies, improve labour management, and stock management.

• Currently the available buildings (excluding those at Ballagawne - dedicated to the milking herd) provide an area for livestock accommodation of approximately 1919m² plus a feed and bedding storage area of 718m². See attached.

• The cattle rearing enterprise from weaned calf upwards through to either breeding or finishing, requires approximately 3309m². A total shortfall of 672m² (See attached)

• The proposed building will provide 446m² for the housing of livestock. (See attached)

• There will still be a shortfall of 194m² (see attached) for all stock to be housed along with their feed and bedding. As a result, it is likely that some animals will still be outwintered, but at a lower density and with more flexibility to limit soil damage.

• The proposed shed will provide modern facilities, suitable livestock ventilation and sufficient access for modern agricultural machinery.

In conclusion, the proposed agricultural building is key to improving the farms operational and livestock performance, limiting soil structure damage, reducing the environmental risk from soil erosion through the wet winters and allow for the farming business to maximise its available grazing. This building is agriculturally justified and will help future proof the business and farm holding.

Kind regards

Redacted

2100130

Chris Kneale

Rural Business Consultancy