Laois pig farm extension plans appealed to An Bord Pleanala

Plans to extend a 40 year old pig farm in Laois have been appealed to An Bord Pleanala. 

Tulleka Trading Company had been granted permission by Laois County Council to extend the pig farm at Graigue, Ballinakill subject to 16 conditions last November. 

Tulleka Trading Company had sought permission to build an additional five modern animal house units and three feed silo’s, together with all ancillary site works on a 3.2 hectare site at Graigue. 

The application, which was accompanied by a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) and Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR), was accompanied by documents outlining the plans. It stated that six people work at the farm.  

“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,” documents lodged with the plans revealed. 

“The proposed development is to carry out an extension to an existing piggery and all ancillary site works and services. The extension consists of the construction of five no. new pig houses. 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…It is not proposed to increase the number of pig accommodation as permitted by the granted Industrial Emissions (IE) Licence (P0710-03) from the EPA,” the plans stated. 

A Senior Planner with Laois County Council noted “the applicant states that it is not proposed to increase the number of pigs as permitted by the granted Industrial Emissions (IE) Licence (P0710-03) from the EPA. The extension of the farm would allow for an increase in the live weight of pigs at sale and an increase in animal welfare and production efficiency to sustain the financial viability of this pig rearing enterprise. The proposed new structures will allow greater scope to manage disease by increasing the accommodation on the site for separating piglet litters and providing additional welfare space for pigs with undocked tails, providing for best practice under Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations (S.I. 311 of 2010).”

Peter Sweetman lodged a submission in relation to the application and stated that Laois County Council had to assess the plans in accordance with the Planning and Development Act 2000. He said the council was to form and record a view of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report and he set out obligations of the council under the Habitats Directive. 

“Fourthly the development must be assessed under the Water Framework Directive in

compliance with the CJEU Judgment in Case C-301-22,” he stated. 

Laois County Council approved the plans subject to 16 conditions on November 19 last. The plans were appealed to An Bord Pleanala by Mr Sweetment on December 9. An Bord Pleanala is expected to reach a decision on the plans by April 22, 2025.