Ceredigion planners are expected to approve a scheme for a milk whey bio-fertiliser lagoon near Cardigan which has attracted more than 100 objections.
Last year, Daniel James of Stepside Agri submitted a partly-retrospective application for the excavation of a bio-fertilizer lagoon for storage of food industry by-products at Ffynnoncyff Farm, Y Ferwig, near Cardigan.
The 90 metre earth-banked store would have a capacity of some 3,000 cubic metres, and is expected to be filled twice a year, storing milk whey, from the Volac site in nearby Felinfach, used as an alternative form of bio-fertiliser.
The scheme was recommended for conditional approval at the December meeting of Ceredigion County Council’s development management committee, despite county planners receiving 100 objections on the council’s planning portal.
Members at that meeting agreed to a site visit, the application now returning to the January 15 meeting of the county council’s development management committee, where it is again recommended for approval, following a site inspection panel visit earlier this month.
Objections previously raised included the potential impact of the proposed development on groundwater and private water supplies, ecological harm, odour and dangerous fumes, impacts on the free flow of traffic and highway/pedestrian safety, amenity harm as a result of increased vehicle movements, and impacts on the visual amenity of neighbouring properties and nearby Mwnt beach.
A supporting statement, submitted last year by agent Llyr Evans Planning Ltd says: “The aim of the development is to provide a dedicated store for a food industry by-product which would be used as an organic-based fertiliser on the adjoining land as part of managed arable crop production.”
It says the store “would enable the material to be stored on site until the optimal spreading time, ensuring maximum nutrient take up and beneficial environmental management”.
An officer report ahead of the January planning meeting says: “A letter was submitted from the Felinfach Wastewater Treatment Plant Consortium, comprising Volac International Ltd & Sensient Flavours Ltd, both food processing facilities and significant employers located in the Aeron Valley near Felinfach. In the letter, they noted their support for the proposal and stated the importance of the proposed lagoon for the uninterrupted and continued operation of the sites in Felinfach.”
The report goes on to say: “The associated economic benefits way heavily in favour of the scheme. The proposed development generates revenue through bio-fertiliser sales and reduces reliance on external fertilizer suppliers offering long-term cost stability. It would support a circular economy by recycling food industry by-products into agricultural use, promoting sustainability. It will also create local jobs in construction, site management and related agricultural services, contributing to the local economy. Additionally, the proposal offers potential long-term agricultural benefits, such as improved soil health and higher crop yields.”
The application is recommended for conditional approval.
Discover more from Carmarthenshire News Online
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
