Laois pig farm plans expansion
Business near Ballinakill lodges planning application for development
A pig farm in Laois is planning an expansion at their site near Ballinakill and has lodged a planning application with Laois County Council for the development.
Tuleka Trading Company, which operates the farm in the townland of Graigue, Ballinakill, is seeking permission to construct five new pig houses.
Documents lodged with the local authority say: "The existing pig farm has been established at this location since 1973, and has developed over the decades. The integrated pig farm currently comprises thirteen pig houses with a total capacity for 4,800 production pigs, 4,300 weaners, 650 sows and 120 maiden gilts.
"The proposed extension of the farm would allow for an increase in the live weight of pigs at sale, improvements to animal welfare and production efficiency to sustain the financial viability of this pig rearing enterprise. The design of the proposed houses and the revision in the management of the existing houses would allow for the implementation of best available technique (BAT) shallow pit slurry storage and reductions in emissions to atmosphere from the farm."
The proposed development would occur within the existing site currently in the ownership of the applicant.
If the project is given the green light the construction phase would take an estimated six months.
Submissions on the development can be made to the local authority by July 7, 2024 and a decision is due to be made by July 20, 2024.