Expansion plans at former Laois mink fur farm

A large expansion is planned at a farm in Laois where mink were reared for fur prior to the banning of the practice in March 2022.  

Vasa Ltd is now seeking to extend its livestock facilities at the site of the former fur farm at Ballymanus, Vicarstown, Stradbally. 

The company has applied to Laois County Council for planning permission with a view to knocking the former mink processing and storage buildings and expanding the farm's livestock facilities. 

A submission on behalf of their architect sets out the background to the planning application.  

It explained that “following the introduction of the Animal Health and Welfare and Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021 all Mink farming related activities in the country had to cease with almost immediate effect. This planning application follows a previous application (23/60152) for the removal or repurposing (where possible) of all mink farm related buildings and associated works.”

“Our client now wishes to expand the livestock facilities for their existing herd to both better their animal husbandry and to be more prepared to combat the ongoing longer winter periods and this planning application seeks permission for the new facilities required.

In addition our client is seeking permission for the demolition of two existing shed buildings which had previously been approved permission to repurpose. The remote Location of these two shed buildings on the farm together with the expense of re- purposing them make the re-purposing unviable and so our client wishes to remove them completely.”

Vasa Ltd is looking for permission to demolish an existing 558.6sq metre mink processing building which had previously been granted permission for repurposing. The company also wants permission to demolish a 278 sq metre mink equipment storage shed which was also previously granted permission for repurposing under a previous plan. 

Vasa Ltd also wants “(c) permission for the construction of a new 630.8 sqm portal frame cattle shed which will include the re-purposing of an existing surface water attenuation tank for the purposes of storage of clean surface water and bovine effluent separately (the surface water attenuation tank was previously granted permission for removal under planning reg. no. 23/60152), (d) permission for the construction of a new 348.9 sqm portal frame feed store, (e) permission for the construction of a 1235.3 sqm three bay silage pit, (f) permission for the construction of 374.5 sqm dungstead, (g) all associated drainage and site works.”

The company said “a Natura Impact Assessment (NIS) has been prepared in respect of the proposed development. Ballymanus House, beside this site, comprises entry 604 on the Record of Protected Structures forming part of the Laois County Development Plan.”

Laois County Council is due to make a decision on the planning application by July 22, 2024.