A PACKED meeting at Leighton village hall heard that a proposed milking development could be an investment in the future of dairy farming.
A planning application submitted by farmer Fraser Jones of Lower Leighton Farm, to add a large extension to his current milking set-up in Leighton, had been described as “battery farming” by protesters as it was thought the unit could house 1,000 cows on multiple storeys.
The meeting on August 25 heard that the proposals do involve the housing of 1,000 cows, an increase from the current herd of 200, but they would only be kept on a single storey, with any further storeys for human use only such as an office.
The application for planning permission at Lower Leighton Farm was submitted to the Powys Planning Register on August 9, to build “an extension to the existing dairy unit to accommodate the housing of 1,000 dairy cows, to include the erection and siting of a multi-storey parlour, three livestock cubicle buildings, fodder storage building, two slurry stores and a water storage tower, together with associated engineering operations, landscaping and highways.”
Leighton resident Paul Harris described the proposals to the County Times as ‘way out of keeping’ with the size of the village.
“At present there are around 200 cows crossing the road to get from the field to the shed. What will happen when there are 1,000 cows crossing?”
Concern for the animals’ welfare had also been expressed, particularly the comfort of the animals being kept indoors for a large portion of the year.
Mr Jones addressed a number of questions from members of the public and stressed that the animals would not be crossing the road.
“We looked at both low input and high input systems. The low input system would see 1,000 cows crossing three main roads which would be a nightmare for everyone.
“A high input system would be more efficient so that is what we have gone for."No additional cows will be crossing the road than there is now, if anything it will be less.
“I have looked at lots of farms and seen what was good and bad with their systems.
"The cows will have superior comfort, as we are putting mats on the concrete standing and in their cubicles there will be mattresses with straw.
"I will not overstock the sheds.
“The sheds will be open-sided to allow for continual fresh air for the animals and there will be plenty of room for them all to eat at the same time,” he added.
“Given a choice cows will go inside as that is where they are happiest.”
Mr Jones went on to explain that noise would be reduced by an earth bund, as well as lines of trees which would also screen the buildings from the village.
None of the new buildings will be higher than the existing pheasant shed, said Mr Jones.
Several members of the audience described the plans as an investment in the future of dairy farming, mentioning Leighton Centre as a once great area of farming.
The planning application is pending approval but Mr Jones stressed that he would appeal if the application was turned down.