Pollution fears raised over plans for slurry lagoon at Denbighshire farm

Fears plans for a slurry lagoon could cause water pollution have been raised by an environmental watchdog.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has written to Denbighshire requesting more information about a proposed slurry lagoon at a dairy farm at Llanbedr Dyffryn, Ruthin.

Mr Charles Whittingham of Llanbedr Farm, Ruthin, has submitted a planning application to Denbighshire County Council seeking permission for the lagoon.

The application describes an ‘agricultural earth bank lagoon for the storage of slurry’.

Typically slurry, which often contains manure, is stored in a tank or lagoon until it is ready to be used as fertiliser.

But as part of the application, a consultation process has raised concerns that the lagoon could be a potential source of pollution.

Whilst the NRW said they had no objection to the plans if the lagoon was properly constructed by a qualified engineer, they had concerns about pipes crossing a nearby stream.

In a letter to Denbighshire County Council, Natural Resources Wales wrote: “We have concerns with the application as submitted because inadequate information has been provided in support of the proposal.

“To overcome these concerns, you should seek further information from the applicant regarding pollution of controlled waters. If this information is not provided, we would object to this planning application.”

The letter added: “To fill the lagoon with a pipe would involve the pipe crossing over the stream adjacent to the farm (Nant y Ne). We advise that further information is sought from the applicant…”

But Will Phillips of P&L AgriConsulting Ltd represented the farm and said in a letter to the council that the pollution risk was minimal.

“The design objective is to develop slurry storage so that there is as little impact as possible,” he wrote.

“The prime consideration is the safety of the structure, minimising pollutant risk and meeting current legislation and best practice.

“The proposals will help the farm to maintain its productivity and therefore secure jobs.”

The application will likely appear before Denbighshire County Council’s planning committee for future debate.

By Richard Evans – Local Democracy Reporter