A staggering 32,000 hens are coming home to roost in Ayrshire… for a £1.8m free range egg production unit.
Ayrshire Live can exclusively reveal that the planning application for the ambitious business venture at Bellslea Farm Eggs Ltd has been approved.
The agents in the proposals were East Yorkshire-based Harrison Pick Ltd and the applicant is Nanette Aitken, of Bellslea Farm Eggs Ltd, based on agricultural land between Belston and Joppa.
The plans will now involve the building of a giant free range egg unit, used to house the 32,000 free range laying hens.
Also included is an egg packing and storage facility, feed silos, and hard standing areas for parking and the turning of vehicles.
We can further reveal that the plans represent a “significant investment” by the applicants of approximately £1.8m in groundworks, buildings and equipment, and will create two full-time positions on the farm.
The applicants have already received support from an egg production contractor and had a preliminary contract agreement in place for the proposal, subject to planning approval.
Now the plans have been green lighted under delegated powers.
A supporting statement read: “The nationwide increased demand for free range eggs necessitates a significant expansion within the industry to meet consumer expectations and sustain market growth. With an increasing focus on animal welfare and sustainable farming practices, more consumers are opting for free-range eggs over conventionally produced ‘barn’ eggs.
“To keep pace with this demand, producers and contractors alike must scale up their operations.
“The market is offering increasingly more lucrative contracts to both existing and new producers as all major supermarkets in the UK have committed to cease selling cage produced eggs by the end of 2025 and replace all these eggs with the higher welfare free range eggs.”
The building to be built will include accommodation for 32,000 free range laying hens in two 16,000 bird sections.
Egg packing and storage facilities will be provided within the building at the southern end. The plans also include feed bins. A covered loading bay is also in the pipeline to the south of the unit.
The agents said they were confident that, if approved, the business will provide ‘added economic value’ to the region.
The supporting statement adds: “The development will also provide a significant contribution to the associated services industries within the poultry sector, which for the best part will be provided by the surrounding rural communities.
“These industries include haulage contractors, chick suppliers, poultry feed suppliers, veterinary and medicine, fuel suppliers, bedding suppliers, catching contractors, cleaning contractors, electricians, plumbers, pest control contractors etc.
“The added value to the local economy through direct and indirect employment for the development is demonstrable and substantial.”
In approving the venture council papers said: “It is considered that the development proposals are suitably designed in respect of the rural setting of the locale and represent rural diversification which shall contribute to the viability, sustainability and diversity of the local rural economy.”