PLANS are in the pipeline to create a chicken farm than can house up to 220,000 birds between Trefeglwys and Caersws.

An application has been submitted to Powys County Council on behalf of RJ Hughes & Co for a poultry unit at Argoed Farm which would see three new broiler units added to an egg unit which is to be converted to meet the growing demand for chickens.

Currently there is a 32,000 bird egg production unit and a small suckler cow herd on the farm.

The chicken manure from the egg production unit and the cattle muck is used as feedstock in the AD unit, and that unit produces both heat electricity some of which is used on the farm with the majority of electricity exported to the grid.

A planning statement submitted with the application states: "To help ensure the viability of the farming business for future generations, and to help meet the high demand for chickens, it is proposed to locate four broiler poultry buildings and associated infrastructure on the farmland.

"Three of these units will be new build and the existing egg unit will be converted into a fourth broiler building.

"The three new and one converted broiler buildings will house 220,000 birds. The broilers will be brought in as day old chicks at a 50-50 mix of males and females. At the end of the growing period they will be collected and transported to a processing plant.

"The proposed poultry buildings will help to ensure that the farming business of R J Hughes & Co remains viable for future generations by improving the profitability of the business and creating further employment.

"It will allow the business to respond more effectively to fluctuations in the poultry and meat markets. Flexibility is vital in ensuring the longevity of farming business and, as such, the proposed development should be supported. "

Powys County Council planners will make a decision on the application at a future date.