PROPOSED 16,000 BIRD FREE RANGE EGG UNIT AT LANGRIGG HALL,

LANGRIGG, WIGTON, CA7 3LH

DESIGN, ACCESS AND PLANNING STATEMENT JPT- Ref G124/002

Introduction

This statement is to accompany the planning application submitted on behalf of J.W.

Gate & Son, of Langrigg Farm, Langrigg, Wigton, CA7 3LH

Section 42 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 requires a Design and
Access Statement to be submitted with the majority of planning applications. The
purpose of this report is to satisfy the requirements of Section 42 of the
aforementioned Act.

This report has been prepared to illustrate the process that has led to the development
proposal and to explain and justify the proposal in a structured way. Jack Thornton has
prepared this report.

The Proposed Development

The applicant currently operate an agricultural business from Langrigg Farm, Langrigg
Hall, that extends to in excess of 200 acres of agricultural land and is operated as a
mixed livestock and arable agricultural business.

The applicant proposes to expand his farming business through a free range egg
production enterprise with the erection of a 16,000 bird free range egg laying unit.

The market for free range eggs is very strong. The total number of laying hens in the UK
is approximately 30,000,000.

The market for Free Range Eggs is very strong, with demand outstripping supply and
buoyant prices. The large annual increase in demand, together with the restrictions on
supply, forecast an extremely viable business opportunity for many years to come and
provides a financially viable agricultural business opportunity warranting the high capital
entry costs and justifying construction of a poultry unit of the size proposed.

Amount

The proposed development involves the erection of 1 No. 16,000 bird free range egg
laying unit. The proposed buildings extend to 124m x 20m with an eaves height of 2.44m
and a ridge height of 5.36m, together with access off an existing track/service road.

Use

A free-range egg production system is a welfare friendly form of egg production and is a
growing market in the UK. The proposed building includes an egg store, egg collection

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point and packing area with accommodation for 16,000 birds in two 8000-bird sections,
either side of the central passage

The bird housing area within the building includes a scratch area and a plastic slatted
dunging area.

Nest boxes are situated along one side of the building adjacent to an egg collection
conveyor. The nest boxes are angled towards the conveyor and the hens lay their eggs
in the nest boxes. The eggs then roll onto the conveyor and are brought to the packing
area at the south end of the building.

The feeding system within the building is based on an automated chain feeding system,
which operates every 2 hours between the hours of 6.00am and 9.00pm. Nipple
drinkers provide water supply.

The lighting within the building is on a time switch, providing the birds with a constant
14 hours of daylight per day. There are no roof lights or translucent panels that would
create possible light pollution. The building is naturally ventilated but is fan assisted,
with side inlet vents and roof fans. The fans are linked to a thermostat, which maintains
the optimum temperature within the building for bird welfare.

Pop holes are situated in one side of the building. These pop holes provide the birds
with direct access to the range area. Pop holes are opened at 8.00am daily and closed at
9.00pm (or dusk).

Layout

Free-range units are unusual in agricultural terms, as they relate to a specific area of land
– the range. The range must equate to 1 hectare per 1000 birds and no part of the
range area can be more than 350m from the building itself.

The requirements for the proposed unit are such that, it is impossible to site free-range
unit within the existing farm-building complex. The building, proposed, relates well to
the existing farm buildings but still achieves the demanded range criteria.

The proposed site for the new unit provides the required amount of range area within
350m of the building. The proposed unit requires 16 hectares (40 acres) of range area
within 350m of the building.

The proposed site is located to the east of the main farm complex. The layout involves
upgrading an existing field access and farm track to provide a service road to the
development.

A hard standing is proposed to the west of the proposed building. This hard standing
provides a turning area for vehicles delivering feed, birds and for egg collection.

Scale

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The scale of the development is one building, of dimensions 110m x 19m with an eaves
height of 2.44m and a ridge height of 5.36m.

The size of the buildings is linked to the size of the enterprise. Free - range egg
production legislation dictates that stocking levels cannot exceed 9 birds per square
metre.

Large buildings are necessary for free range egg production units, rather than a number
of smaller buildings due to the substantial set up costs of the enterprise and the
equipment that is necessary for the units to operate efficiently.

A 16,000 bird free range organic egg unit has a set up cost of approximately £350,000,
with the internal equipment such as feeding, lighting, conveyors and egg packing
machinery forming large part of the project cost. Smaller buildings are not viable
because the fitting out and equipment cost is preclusive.

Landscaping

The site for the proposed free-range egg unit located to the north of the existing farm
complex. The site is on low-lying land and is enclosed to the north by gradually rising
land and to the west by a mature hedgerow. To the north of the building is a track with
rising topography beyond. The site is screened from views from the south by the
existing farm complex.

The lower lying nature of the site, together with the rising topography and the mature
hedgerow to the west the proposed building is not prominent within the landscape.

It is proposed that low lying shrubs will be planted to the east of the proposed building
which will not only provide a scratching ground but also act as screening from the east.

In agricultural terms, the proposed building is very low, with eaves of 2.44m and a ridge
height of 5.36m. The construction materials are also appropriate to a rural landscape,
with the external facing material being slate blue and concrete. The roof material is
profile sheeting, which is typical of agricultural buildings in the countryside. The colour
of the roof is slate blue, however, a dark green can be used if preferable to the Local
Planning Authority.

Appearance

The proposed building is a purpose built poultry unit and the design is purely functional
for the proposed use as a free-range egg-laying unit. The buildings are of Steel frame
construction and the external cladding is plastisol insulated box profile in slate blue. The
roof material is profile sheeting.

Access

Access to the proposed free range egg laying units is required by HGV’s. The traffic
generated by a free range egg laying unit averages 2.4 lorry movements per week,
including feed delivery, egg collection, bird delivery and bird collection.

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The traffic movements associated with the new unit will be 106 egg collection lorries, 24
feed lorries, 2 bird delivery lorries and 2 bird collection lorries every 14 months. This
equates to an average of 2.4 lorries per month.

The site itself has been laid out to facilitate the type of vehicle which is required to
access the development. Access to the development from the public highway is via an
existing access which it is proposed upgrading.

The type of Lorries used to access the site will invariably be HGV’s. This is due to the
nature of the proposed enterprise.

Inclusive Access

Due to the nature of the development as a free range egg laying unit, inclusive access is
not considered relevant.

Jack Thornton BSc (Hons)

July 2009

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