A Rhonehouse dairy farmer has been given the go-ahead for expanding his cow milking operations despite objections from nearby residents.
Kenneth Campbell, who owns Slagnaw Farm, was given planning permission on Wednesday to construct a large agricultural building for milking cattle, installation of a sewage treatment plant, and an underground slurry tank.
The application was approved by Dumfries and Galloway councillors, despite objections from six households in nearby Rhonehouse and one in Gelston.
Speaking at the council’s planning committee, Kenneth Campell said: “The main aim of this project is to replace an aged and inefficient milking parlour with a fast, modern parlour to make Slagnaw Farming Limited an employer of choice.
“Staff procurement is possibly my biggest challenge and we need to be an attractive proposition for prospective staff going forward with short milking times in a pleasant environment.
“Sustainability is, and will continue to be, a cornerstone of this business. It’s my firm belief that going forward cow numbers should match acres available on any farm.”
Slagnaw Farm has 825 acres of land and Mr Campbell explained that bringing on an extra 100 cows would lead to 670 cows on the site, along with their young.
The people who lodged formal objections with the council complained that the proposals would result in increased traffic, noise, light pollution, and odours.
However, Castle Douglas and Crocketford Councillor John Young raised concerns about the number of cows and their welfare.
He said: “Could you tell me, Mr Campbell, if the cows will be permanently kept in these sheds for 12 months a year – or will they be let out sometimes?
“I’m well aware that animal welfare is not part of planning conditions, but could you tell me roughly the life of a dairy cow that is kept under these conditions?
“I was brought up in a croft in the west Highlands and we kept cows 15-20 years.
“What’s the life of a cow kept under your dairy conditions?”
The farmer responded: “We have recently re-introduced grazing of dairy cows at Slagnaw, they’re not housed 365 days a year.
“For the last three years, 50 percent of the cows will go out at night and day for at least six months of the year.”
He added that a dairy cow would live for about five years on average.
Councillor Young then declared that he would not participate in any vote, however the other planning councillors unanimously agreed to approve the farm expansion plans.
