Teagasc is planning to extend and expand its facilities in Ballyhaise and has submitted a planning application to Cavan County Council.
The Agriculture and Food Development Authority is seeking permission for a suckler shed extension, a livestock underpass with an effluent tank and a sheep shed with underground slatted tanks.
The application also seeks permission for a wash and boot area, medicine store, toilet, office and training room and all associated site works.
As part of the application for the development, Teagasc submitted its fertiliser plan for 2024 for Ballyhaise Agricultural College to the council’s planning department.
Environmentalist, Peter Sweetman on behalf of Wild Ireland Defense CLG has already lodged a submission to the plans.
He has stated that an Appropriate Assessment (AA) under the Habitats Directive is required because the development is less than 0.6m from the Lough Oughter and Associated Loughs Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
A decision is due from Cavan County Council by December 18, 2024.
Other planning in Cavan
Meanwhile, earlier this month, An Bord Pleanála rejected a planning appeal lodged by the environmental group against a cattle shed and slurry tank in Co. Cavan.
In March 2023, Cavan County Council granted permission, subject to eight conditions, to a farmer to construct a four-bay shed consisting of slatted area with slurry holding tank underneath, cubicles and all associated site works at Killeshandra.
The 319m2 shed, under a double pitched roof on an existing farmyard, would comprise a central feeding passage with slatted areas on either side served by a slurry holding tank and a total of 32 cubicles.
The decision of Cavan County Council was appealed to An Bord Pleanála by the Cork-based environmental group Wild Ireland Defence CLG, care of Peter Sweetman.
However, An Bord Pleanála board found that the development would be “an appropriate addition to the existing farmyard” and would “not give rise to the risk of pollution”.