Expansion plans approved at former fur farm in Laois
The farm is being repurposed to raise livestock
Planning approval has been granted for expanded livestock facilities on the site of a former mink fur farm.
The plans which would see sections of the former fur farm at Ballymanus, Vicarstown, Stradbally repurposed for use in rearing cattle was approved by Laois County Council subject to 20 conditions.
VASA Ltd applied for the permission to demolish former mink processing and storage buildings and expand the farm's livestock facilities in May. The processing building covered 558.6 sq metres and the storage shed measured 278 sq metres.
The plan sought “permission for the construction of a new 630.8 sqm portal frame cattle shed which will include the re-purposing of an existing surface water attenuation tank for the purposes of storage of clean surface water and bovine effluent separately (the surface water attenuation tank was previously granted permission for removal under planning reg. no. 23/60152), (d) permission for the construction of a new 348.9 sqm portal frame feed store, (e) permission for the construction of a 1235.3 sqm three bay silage pit, (f) permission for the construction of 374.5 sqm dungstead, (g) all associated drainage and site works.”
A submission by VASA’s architect, set out the background to the planning application.
It explained that “following the introduction of the Animal Health and Welfare and Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021 all Mink farming related activities in the country had to cease with almost immediate effect. This planning application follows a previous application (23/60152) for the removal or re-purposing (where possible) of all mink farm related buildings and associated works.”
“Our client now wishes to expand the livestock facilities for their existing herd to both better their animal husbandry and to be more prepared to combat the ongoing longer winter periods and this planning application seeks permission for the new facilities required.
In addition our client is seeking permission for the demolition of two existing shed buildings which had previously been approved permission to re-purpose. The remote Location of these two shed buildings on the farm together with the expense of re- purposing them make the re-purposing unviable and so our client wishes to remove them completely.”
The plans, which were submitted with a Natura Impact Statement, have now been approved subject to 20 conditions