A LIVESTOCK farmer has submitted plans to expand his successful free range egg facility to house thousands more chickens.

Will Case's family has owned Plumpton Cottage Farm at Newland near Ulverston for more than 30 years.

The three generations of farmers have been in free range egg production for 15 years, as well as rearing around 150 cows and 1,000 sheep.

In a bid to 'meet market demands', Mr Case has submitted an application to South Lakeland District Council to extend an existing building which is used for free range egg production.

The plans propose expanding the building capacity to house 6,000 more birds - from 18,000 chickens to 24,000.

The expansion will also give the building a new floorspace of 744.6 square metres, allowing for increased numbers of egg production.

The plans, submitted to SLDC on May 24, state: "The site has been used for free range egg production since 2005.

"It is next to the main farm steading but hidden behind a hill.

"The proposal is to extend one of the the current buildings to increase capacity from 18,000 birds to 24,000, to meet market demands.

"The proposed extension will be designed in the same way as the original building.

"A steel frame will be clad in grey composite sheeting to blend sympathetically with the surroundings as specified on the original chicken house design.

"Air vents will be situated on the side walls that are also clad in grey composite sheeting.

"In addition, there will be pop holes at ground level, as well as fans mounted on the ridge.

"The extension will be landscaped into the current area and surrounded by trees to encourage birds to range freely giving them shelter from the elements and predators.

"The site is accessed by an existing farm track and is not near any public roads.

"There is adequate space for emergency service access if required. There will be no additional traffic as a result of the development. The proposal of native planting and long term maintenance should establish part of a flight link and forage area for bats and birds in the area."