PLANS to expand facilities at a “state-of-the-art” Pembrokeshire abattoir, the only one of its kind in the county, have been approved.
In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Euro Farm Wales sought permission to extend the yard, together with the erection of a storage building and water tanks in association with the abattoir, at its existing facilities at Unit 7+8 Withybush Trading Estate, Withybush Road, Haverfordwest.
A supporting statement by Johnston Planning Ltd on behalf of agent GMW Design and the applicant said a previous application for the proposals, which had not drawn any objections, was withdrawn following officer concerns of the level of detail, particularly with regard to drainage provision and potential impacts to the nearby SAC.
Detailing the latest application, it says: “The applicants run a modern and welfare conscious facility at Withybush that is fitted with state-of-the-art mitigation to ensure there are no adverse impacts resulting from the business.
“This application which essentially seeks an extension to the rear yard is to allow for the better management of the facility through the improved circulation and management of vehicles attracted to the site.
“It will not involve any significant increase in throughput nor will the proposed extension host any animal storage or processing facilities.”
An officer report recommending approval says: “The abattoir has recently been extended and the statement submitted with the application states that the proposal is essential to allow for the better management of the facility through improved circulation and management of vehicles attracted to the site.
“The facility serves the whole county and is a slaughterhouse and meat (beef) processing facility, which is the only one of its kind in Pembrokeshire providing a vital service to the local farming community.”
It says the scheme would have positive economic benefits through the expansion of the existing business and retaining employment, along with positive environmental impacts “through the incorporation of a sustainable drainage system for surface water and the provision of landscaping on the eastern boundary and bird boxes on the external elevations of the proposed storage building”.
The application was conditionally approved.
