PLANS to farm up to 64,000 hens on a farm near Kilgetty have been submitted to Pembrokeshire County Council.

An application by Gareth Curtis of Langdon Enterprises Ltd, Langdon Farm, made through agent Ian Pick Associates Ltd, seeks to build a free-range egg laying unit on the farm site.

The applicant currently operates two free-range egg-laying units, totalling 32,000-hens free range egg laying unit at Langdon Farm.

The applicants propose a further 32,000 laying hens.

An application for an Environmental Permit for 64,000 birds has been granted by Natural Resources Wales.

The proposed poultry building for the further 32,000 hens is 120 metres by 23.47 metres.

A report submitted with the application states: “The proposed development is for the sustainable development and expansion of an agricultural business and therefore the proposals will support the continued operation of the farm. The proposed building has been sited approximately 200m to the south east of the existing egg units for operational purposes. The proposed siting is due to the requirement for the proposed unit to be provided with a ranging area which extends to 16 hectares (40 acres) around the building. Fulfilling this requirement in not possible adjacent to the existing buildings are the available land is already taken as range for the existing buildings.”

The proposed development would see an an increase in traffic of one lorry and one tractor and trailer per week, the application states.