Plans submitted to increase farm infrastructure

Cottage Farm said it needed to increase the amount of milk it produced to stay in business

A farm in Jersey is asking for permission to develop its buildings so it can accommodate more cows.

Cottage Farm in St Martin currently has 200 cattle but wants to expand its herd to 250.

The farm said it had to increase the amount of milk it produced for the business to remain financially viable.

As part of the expansion proposals the company said it wanted to extend the dairy shed, and build a new slurry tank.

The planning document written on behalf of Freedom Farms Ltd, the tenant farmers of Cottage Farm, said the farm saw "extensive modernisation in 2017" but to "keep it viable it needs to increase the size of its milking herd."

In the proposal, the farm's tenant said: "The dairy industry forms an important part of the Island's rural economy" and by increasing the capacity it will help to secure the 'continued proper management of the island's historic agricultural landscape, to the benefit of islanders and visitors alike'."