Prospect of tearing down £3m dairy unit placed us under huge stress, Anglesey farmers admit

After winning their appeal for retrospective planning consent, the relieved partners say they wouldn't wish anyone to go through the same process. By: ANDREW FORGRAVE Source: Daily Post
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A dairy farmer has spoken of the huge strain he and his business partner were placed under after they became embroiled in a planning row with Anglesey Council.
Eurig Jones expressed thanks for the support of the island’s agriculture community as they faced the prospect of losing a £3m investment in a new dairy unit at Capel Coch.
This week an appeal was upheld against the scheme’s original rejection, with Anglesey Council adjudged to have “behaved unreasonably” in arriving at the decision.
“We were fairly confident because we knew that everything we had done was within policy,” said Eurig, 37.
“But right up to the last minute there was always the thought in the back of our minds that it may go against us, and that we may be forced to pull down the sheds.
“We tried to put it out of minds, and get on with our lives, but it was a stressful time for everyone.”
With partner Owen Rowlands, he had pressed ahead with the project after told being told planning officers would not object.
After installing 240 milkers at Plas Llanfihangel farm, the planning process was delayed when objections were raised by nearby residents, worried at the potential for noise, light pollution and visual blight.
Having put the cows to bulls, and needing somewhere to milk them, the two farmers felt they had no option but to press ahead with their planned shed and parlour in the hope of getting retrospective permission.
However Anglesey’s planning commission rejected the proposal, with some councillors worried it would set a dangerous precedent.
While Eurig and Owen have some sympathy with this position, they were initially critical of councillors for ignoring the advice of their planning officers, and for placing Anglesey’s taxpayers at risk of a hefty financial penalty.
“It worked out OK in the end, but doing it this way is not something I would recommend to anyone,” said Eurig, who last month became a dad for the second time.
“We felt we had no choice. We never built the sheds without the intention of getting permission, but we found ourself in a position beyond our control.
“A nucleus of people were against the scheme and while we understood their objections, we were also had a lot of support and positivity from the local agricultural community, for which we are extremely grateful.”
After visiting the farm, planning inspector Joanne Burston concluded the new dairy unit had “no significant visual impact” and represented a significant investment in the local rural economy. Two staff are now employed full-time, and two part-time.
Awarding costs to the appellants, she said the council, in rejecting the scheme “unreasonably”, had brought unnecessary expense upon the two farmers.
This is thought to amount to several thousands of pounds, though Anglesey Council has yet to be presented with a final bill.
The council said it would accept the planning inspector’s verdict.
But a spokesman added: “This case highlights issues surrounding the inadequate powers councils have to deal with unauthorised developments.
“We have already brought these concerns to the attention of the Welsh Government.”
 
 
Link: http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/local-news/prospect-tearing-down-3m-dairy-13728782

Mirá También

Así lo expresó Domingo Possetto, secretario de la seccional Rafaela, quien además, afirmó que a los productores «habitualmente los ignoran los gobiernos». Además, reconoció la labor de los empresarios de las firmas locales y aseguró que están «esperanzados» con la negociación entre SanCor y Adecoagro.

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