A proposal worth approximately £2m to build a free-range egg producing unit in East Ayrshire has been approved. The plans were earmarked for Taiglim Farm on Glaisnock Road, Cumnock.
Details of the development
The applicant, George Foster, previously sought permission to build a free-range hen laying facility with a litter store, associated meal storage bins, and a new access and turning facility for articulated lorries. The project involves housing as many as 39,500 hens.
The plans have now been approved under delegated powers, with conditions attached by East Ayrshire Council.
Business and employment impact
According to the design and access statement, the proposal forms part of a business plan to develop a sustainable and economically viable egg production enterprise at the farm. The statement notes that the UK egg industry is undergoing rapid structural change, driven by the national commitment to end the sale of caged eggs, and demand for free-range eggs has increased significantly.
The £2m investment by the applicant covers groundworks and associated infrastructure costs. The development is expected to create up to four full-time jobs on the farm. The statement adds that the development represents a significant step in the farm’s diversification strategy, responding to increasing demand for higher-welfare agricultural products and offering long-term security for the farm.
Council’s decision
In approving the plan, East Ayrshire Council papers stated: “The application site is accessed from a C-Road that connects to Glaisnock Road. The principle of the poultry shed is considered to be generally acceptable as it is an agricultural use within the rural area and associated with an existing farm, therefore the proposal could be considered an extension of this existing farm operation.”
