A Derbyshire alpaca farm is set to be given the go-ahead despite a petition opposing the plans signed by more than 13,000 people.
The plans, from private business owner Phil Kerry, would see the alpaca farm set up on land off Turlowfields Lane in Hognaston, close to Carsington Water.
Mr Kerry had run a rabbit breeding business from the site until last year but is now seeking to change to alpaca breeding and wool sales.
Documents submitted with his application detail: “Due to a peculiar set of unfortunate circumstances, including the retirement of the site manager due to ill health, and animal rights protests, Mr Kerry has decided to cease rabbit farming at the site and transfer his attentions to establishing an alpaca breeding, rearing and selling enterprise.”
He has applied to Derbyshire Dales District Council for permission to build a house on the site for a worker to be able to tend to the alpacas at all times.
Council officers have recommended that the plans should be approved at a meeting on Tuesday, November 8.
Documents filed by Mr Kerry detail: “Mr Kerry has long been interested in establishing an alpaca breeding operation and attended a training course at Fowberry Alpacas, Yorkshire, as long ago as July 2010. The closure of the rabbit farm has now enabled those long-held plans to be realised.”
The business would involve 25 to 30 female alpacas, along with stud males and “young stock”.
Documents detail that Mr Kerry does not currently own any alpacas but is due to buy 25 females, a baby and a stud male in the first year of the business, expanding the herd over time up to approximately 75 alpacas.
He forecasts a net profit of £34,000 by the third year of the business through alpaca sales and the selling of yarn and other wool products.
Explaining the need for a “rural worker’s dwelling” on the site, Mr Kerry said: “Alpacas are notorious for hiding the symptoms of illness and close vigilance is required to spot subtle changes in behaviour.
“Specific issues are known to include mating, birthing, rearing, abortions and stillbirths and the day-to-day management to ensure that any health or welfare issues arising are spotted promptly and can be dealt with.”
A total of 13,162 people have signed a petition from animal rights campaign group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) opposing the proposed alpaca farm.
The group said: “Alpacas are prey animals for whom the shearing process can be extremely traumatising”.
It continued: “The animals at this facility would be kept in barren conditions before being sold, separating them from their friends and family members.
“In addition to causing animals stress, the planned farm would have many negative effects on the local area, including compromising the outstanding natural landscape through the erection of buildings on the site, increased traffic from heavy goods vehicles, and the large quantities of manure and environmental pollutants, such as methane, it would generate.
“In addition, the proposed facility would also be a potential breeding ground for bovine tuberculosis (bTB), a disease that can infect alpacas and other animals – including humans.”
The council hired an independent agricultural consultant, Kernon Countryside Consultants, to assess the application.
These consultants say there is a need for a worker to live on-site but are concerned about the amount of space available for the planned farm.
The potential farm has 4.8 acres available for alpacas to graze but the consultants calculate the facility will need nine acres (almost double) for 55 alpacas, and will need to rent additional land to cater for up to 75 alpacas.
A temporary three-year permission is seen as a suitable way to test the business operation.
Mr Kerry says more land will not be required until after the third year and that doubling the amount of land would not be needed in any event through an arrangement of smaller paddocks. He feels it is “wholly unreasonable” to rent extra land now or prove that it can be rented in the future.
It has been agreed that the applicant will search for parcels of land to rent in the three-year trial period, should councillors approve the plans.
Council officers say the authority has received 25 objection letters, but just five are from Derbyshire Dales residents.
They fear the plans set a “dangerous precedent” with houses being built on agricultural sites in a “cynical attempt to exploit the planning system”.
Objectors also raised concerns over allocated space for the animals and the potential increased risk of tuberculosis, along with the impact on the landscape and environment.
