Agricultural Building Justification Report

3/10/15 18/00802/15

Additional

Field No: 622432, Dhoon Loop Road, Maughold, Isle of Man Erection of an Agricultural Building Planning Application: 18/00802/B

Introduction

The planning application is for the erection of an agricultural building in Field: 622432 to assist in the agricultural management of the farm owned by Mr Steven Lace adjacent to Thalloo Mitchell. This report is to explain why the proposed agricultural building is essential for the agriculture business and that it does constitute an exception to warrant the setting aside of established planning policy aimed at protecting the countryside from unwarranted development.

The Applicant

Mr Steven Lace comes from a farming family and even though from an early age had a real interest in the agricultural industry took the decision for family and financial reasons to embark in a career in the auto industry. Having worked incredibly hard to establish a well-respected and successful business in Douglas, he has decided that now is the time to let someone else take over the running of this business and so he can go back to his roots of farming the land which has been in his family for many years.

The Farm

The land which Mr Lace owns is made up of a block of 11 fields totalling some 25 acres of agricultural land. The land is Grade 3 agricultural land, classified as having the potential for mixed livestock and cropping agriculture.

The land was rented out but has now been taken back 'in hand' by Mr Lace. He currently owns 50 ewes which are on the farm and with improvements to the fencing, drainage, soil health, and grassland will over time be able to increase the stocking rates. He has already put in a substantial length of new stock fencing where needed, improved field drainage, cleared some areas of thick gorse, and improved the biodiversity of the farm by planting wildflower mixes etc. He has a flock number provided by DEFA for the sheep he owns.

The agricultural machinery which he currently owns for managing the farm include a Massey Ferguson tractor, fertiliser spreader, mobile sheep handling system, fencing equipment, and other general maintenance machinery all of which is currently has to be stored off-site.

As the agricultural land is gradually improved, Mr Lace will have the opportunity to look at diversifying into other agricultural enterprises to improve the economic viability of the farm. Obviously, prior to investing in any other agricultural enterprises, consideration will be given to its effect on the wildlife, visual impact, current legislation, and local demand for products.

The proposed agricultural building

There are no buildings currently associated with the land.

The planning application is for an agricultural building which is required to ensure all necessary legislation and agricultural codes of practice can be adhered to in order that Mr Lace can farm the land.

The building would be general purpose, providing storage for forage, concentrate feeds, and minerals, a locked veterinary medicine cabinet, and secure storage for agricultural machinery and tools required for running a sheep farm. It would also provide areas for lambing in poor weather and penning for sheep when isolation is required.

One of the requirements of selling finished lambs is that farms must be "Farm Assured". The following are some of the standards which are required to become farm assured:

• Facilities as appropriate must be provided when necessary for the segregation/isolation and the care of sick or injured animals.
• All medicines must be kept in a secure locked store and in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
• Appropriate biosecurity measures must be planned and implemented to minimise the spread of disease within the farm and between other farms.
• All feed must be readily identifiable and stored in clean conditions to prevent any form of contamination.
• An effective control system must be in operation in the areas detailed to control infestation by vermin and other animals.
• Where necessary, there must be appropriate facilities for stock to give birth. This includes clean, dry bedding, adequate lighting to allow close inspection and provision of assistance if required.
• In the interests of security, fertiliser must be stored in such a way as to reduce the risk of theft.
• All paints, preservatives, disinfectants, baits, lubricants and other chemical products must be kept in a suitable store to prevent contamination and pollution.

In addition to Farm Assurance standards, sheep producers must adhere to DEFA's Welfare Code for Sheep which is based on the five freedoms. The recommendations in the Code help producers meet the requirements of the Animal Health Act and Welfare of Farm Animals Order.

The following are the recommendations in the Code which would be very difficult to adhere to without housing:

• Sheep should be provided with fresh feed, and any which is stale or contaminated should be removed from troughs before more is added.
• Feed should be palatable and of good quality.
• Arrangements should be made in advance to ensure that adequate supplies of suitable feed and water can be made available to sheep in emergencies, such as severe winter storms or summer drought.
• Provision should be made, and used when necessary, for the segregation and care of sick or injured animals.
• All sheep farmers should have easily operated and efficient handling pens, to facilitate routine management and treatment, on a size and scale to suit the flock numbers.
• A source of heat (for example a warmer box) should be available to revive weak lambs, but care should be taken to avoid overheating.
• For artificial rearing: A dry bed and adequate draught-free ventilation should be provided and where necessary, arrangements should be made to supply safe supplementary heating for very young lambs. Suitable accommodation should be available for sick or injured lambs. This should be separate from other livestock.

Biosecurity is another essential component of managing a sheep flock. To ensure biosecurity is maximised requires farmers having the ability to isolate sheep that are brought onto the farm for a period to ensure they are not suffering or are carriers of any diseases as well as facilities for segregating sick animals.

The farm yard manure produced from having livestock in the building would be put back onto the land and thereby improving soil fertility and organic matter.

Planning Conditions

The applicant has indicated that he has no problem with conditions being placed on the building restricting its use solely for agriculture or that the area around the building be landscaped and screened by the planting of trees.

Summary and Conclusion

The applicant has the ability and knowledge to run a farming business producing top quality lambs for the local market if given the opportunity. The planning application for the erection of an agricultural building is being submitted solely to ensure that the applicant can continue farming and to manage his sheep flock in a way to ensure that all relevant codes, legislation and other agricultural standards can be adhered to as well as security for his agricultural equipment.

With the recent economic difficulties of farming on the Isle of Man and the uncertainty of the agricultural industry with Brexit, it is crucial that those who can invest in the industry are encouraged to do so for the future of the whole of the Manx Agricultural Industry.

In conclusion, there is no doubt that the agricultural building is essential for managing the farming business at a time when farmers must prove to government, abattoirs, retailers and consumers that they are farming to specific high standards.