Dexter Cattle For Sale Discussion Board

Hi All,
Were relativly new to keeping dexters (we have kept pigs and other animals for a while but ventured into beef when we extended the acreage of our smallholding).

We currently have a young steer, slightly older heifer and a cow in calf (along with 3 lambs, 2 geese, hens, ducks and 4 pigs). I've recently submitted a planning application for an agricultural building 30' x 24' (steel framed, clad in timber boarding) the intended use for this building is for winter housing for the dexters, feed and bedding storage along with a small area for a farrowing pig. Unfortunately we've come up against some opposition!

They (objectors) are stating the building is disproportionate to our adjoining land holding of 1.9 acres (the new field which the building is proposed is 1.3 acres) we also have a further 6 acres 'locally' (grazing only). They say the holding does not have sufficient land for our animals and as such the building application should be refused!

We've quoted RSPCA animal welfare guidance for the areas required for the dexters along with a small area for a farrowing pig and a mezanine floor (for bedding and feed storage). We have indeed reduced (slightly) the proposed cow area due to the smaller size of dexters.

Does anyone know of any websites/reference material where i can back up the justification for our proposed building? . . . . My local NFU office appear to be slow in offering support to my application and DEFRA are uninterested ! PLEASE HELP

I assume your proposal has not been refused, you've just had objections which is normal in my book. Around here, ag building will go up almost regardless of objections. Not sure how that would work with small acreage though? If you are going to store your hay and equipment in there, as well as the animals, then that's not a huge building. Unless I misunderstand the situation, maybe you might be best just to sit and wait see if it gets passed or not?

Clive,

Many many thanks for your response.

Its not been refused yet but we don't want any hicups, we're going to be up against it as it is to get the building up before winter - it should be decided mid/late July (its going to planning sub committee hence the delay - where councillors all come out on a bus to have a look at the site) the objector has got in touch with a local councillor to request sub committee and a site visit!

We do plan to keep large bags of shavings. small bales of hay/straw and haylage along with bagged pig feed within the building for bedding and winter feed. Naturally these need to be stored remote from the animals and undercover.

Its not a huge building and we simply cannot afford to compromise on size.

Can anyone else help with dexter housing size guidance ?

I agree with Clive, your building is not very big for what you want it to do I would have thought the extra 6 acres would help your cause on the size of your building. What about looking for some local pony paddocks, they usually have a stable and not much land, use them as an example.

I think I would have put in for a ag storage building, and not mentioned about housing the cattle. New stock housing in this area requires catchment tanks and concrete floors and jousts doubles the cost of everything, pretty sure for a ag storage building you do not require pp for under a certain size providing you have no close neighbours or are going to obstruct someone's view, I might be wrong thou, it has been known

Good point Mark raises. Thinking back to before we farmed, we had, as it happens, a 1.3 acre field at the back of the house. We got permission for a 4-horse stable block on a concrete pad within that 1.3 acres. That was in Sutton Coldfield. That land would not support four horses. We too were renting other land for the horses.

I've not heard of the catchment tank requirement round here that Clacko mentions, a local thing maybe? New buildings going up here all the time to house cattle. Two friends have just finished two buildings in the last few months both with standard concrete floors. They'll be strawing down so there's nothing to catch in any tanks even if they had them fitted.

The Red Tractor Standard that a lot of farmers work to requires 3.5 sq mtrs bedding area for each 400kg cow (or 4.9 sq metres if you include the feeding area). That's for suckler cows in a loose barn with a solid floor. Personally, we use more than double that area to keep it clean.

Land area required is vary variable. If you keep them in over the winter and buy all your forage in, then maybe something around 2-3 to the acre? That's a real guess, maybe 4 or 5 if you keep them in a lot. Maybe someone else has got a better idea than my guess?

Just guessing, but what you are going to do with your muck maybe be asked. It mustn't be stored outside in one place all the time otherwise is seeps into the ground and can cause pollution.

Ah th edear old planners!
I have had a few discussions with my local planners over time. I assume you are not in an area of outstanding natural beauty or sssi ? The size of building you are talking about is not too big, the only thing though you mention a mezzanine level ? Does this mean your building is over 12foot high ? I would think height would be more intrusive than an additional bay. Either way our County Council policy is such that unless your building affects the public enjoyment of the area they would let you proceed. I would ensure the additional acreage you have to use is highlighted.
Personally I would be seriously surprised if you get refused as long as the height of the building is not too intrusive.
It is always difficult when you do things by the book. If you had built the shed and the Council were called in after the event they would never go to appeal with you as typically they do not have the finance or resource if the building in question does not seriously breach any planning.
A bit of a waffle but good luck!
Mark