For UK poultry farmers, expanding your holding with new buildings and types of poultry housing offers exciting opportunities for increased production and diversification. However, navigating the intricacies of UK planning law can seem daunting. Here’s a breakdown of the key steps and considerations to make your poultry expansion a smooth and successful endeavour.
Planning Permission
Poultry housing falls under agricultural development, categorised as either “permitted development” or requiring full planning permission. Smaller structures like mobile units under 12m² may qualify as permitted development, but larger constructions will likely require formal approval.
Consult your local planning authority (LPA) for detailed regulations and application forms. Consider engaging a planning consultant familiar with agricultural projects to guide you through the process.
In addition, be prepared to address potential environmental impacts like noise, odour, and manure management. The LPA might request environmental assessments or mitigation plans.
Your application will be publicly advertised, allowing neighbours and interested parties to comment. Address their concerns proactively to speed up the process and reduce the likelihood of objections.
Building Regulations
Adhering to existing building regulations is vital for any new sheds with a particular focus on structural integrity, ventilation, fire safety, and animal welfare standards. With regard to the building materials themselves, choose durable and easy-to-clean materials. These improve hygiene and make effective biosecurity easy to maintain. In addition, steel frames are a sensible choice whilst insulated panels ensure efficient construction and temperature control.
Also, it’s vital to consider the sustainability of any new building. Explore energy-efficient options like solar panels or natural ventilation to reduce running costs and your environmental footprint.
Financial Considerations
Research government grants and funding schemes are available for sustainable agricultural development. However, each comes with a range of stipulations and conditions. Work with an experienced financial advisor to create a robust business plan and secure necessary funding.
To keep costs under control in the planning and building phases is essential to obtain quotes from reputable contractors with experience in poultry housing construction. Factor in additional costs like planning fees, environmental assessments, and permits as the cost of these can easily mount up.
Finally, when financial planning, it’s important to not see a completed build as the end of the project and your cost obligation. Considering future scalability and potential changes in regulations when designing your buildings can save you from costly modifications down the line.
Additional Tips
When considering a new building or extension to an existing one, incorporating biosecurity into the plans can protect your poultry and limit your risk of disease in the future. It is also recommended that you maintain open communication with your local community throughout the planning process. Doing so will help address their concerns and proactively mitigate potential impacts.
Lastly, prioritise responsible animal husbandry with spacious, well-ventilated housing and enrichment opportunities. This reflects positively on your farm and aligns with industry standards.
Remember, careful planning, attention to detail, and responsible practices are key to a successful poultry housing expansion. By familiarising yourself with UK planning law, environmental regulations, and construction best practices, you can ensure your new buildings contribute to a thriving and sustainable poultry farm.
How Livetec can help you integrate biosecurity into your building plans
Livetec have been advising UK poultry farmers on biosecurity for over a decade. Our contingency and biosecurity plans offer advice on how new buildings, or extensions to old ones, should factor in biosecurity strategies into the planning process.
Whether it’s features such as the location of the planned development and its proximity to other buildings, boundaries, site access points or vehicle parking and storage points, Livetec can offer advice.
The entire building structure is considered: ingress and egress points, ventilation and building security against wild bird and vermin incursion. We’ll leave no stone unturned to ensure the highest standards of your new building’s biosecurity.
Find out how Livetec can help you plan for a safe biosecurity extension to your poultry business and contact us here.
