The owners of a former mink farm and processing plant in Laois have applied to the County Council for planning permission in the hopes of converting the site.
The planning application was made by Vasa Ltd for their site in Ballymanus, Vicarstown.
The Vicarstown farm had been in operation since the 1960s up until the farming of Mink for fur was banned in Ireland in 2022.
Prior to this, the farm had been the subject of protests by animal rights group, NARA (National Animal Rights Association).
Vasa Ltd were granted planning permission by the Council in February of this year to demolish and remove the 74 buildings associated with the former fur farm.
The demolition of this building includes the disposal of asbestos, recognised as hazardous waste by the European Waste Catalogue
Vasa Ltd are now seeking the Council’s permission to convert the site into a beef and/or dairy farm.
The proposed development would see the construction of a new 630.8 square-metre portal frame cattle shed.
This is to include the re-purposing of an existing surface water attenuation tank for the purposes of storage of clean surface water & bovine effluent separately.
The proposal also includes the construction of a new 348.9 sqm portal frame feed store; a 1235.3 sqm three-bay silage pit; a 374.5 sqm dung-shead; and all associated drainage and site works.
A Natura Impact Assessment (NIS) has been prepared in respect of the proposed development.
Ballymanus House, beside this site, is on the Record of Protected Structures.
Ballinakill pig farm
Tuleka Trading Company have also sought planning permission from Laois County Council as they plan to extend their current premises in the County.
The company, which has operated the farm in Graigue, Ballinakill since 1973, is seeking permission to construct five new pig houses.
The farm currently consists of 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 local authority say: “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.
“The design of the proposed houses and the revision in the management of the existing houses would allow for the implementation of best available technique (BAT) shallow pit slurry storage and reductions in emissions to atmosphere from the farm.”
An decision is expected on the proposal by the end of the month.
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