PROPOSALS for a cutting edge agri-business hub and new livestock centre to be situated just outside Launceston is hoped to boost the local economy while supporting the agricultural industry.

Plans to develop a state-of-the-art agri-business hub with a new livestock centre on land at Kennards House beside the A30 dual carriageway is being led by Kevin Hicks, Kivells’ director.

The huge site would comprise a truck road service area (TRSA), hotel, service station, new livestock market, associated parking for cars, coaches, heavy goods vehicles as well as hotel parking, auctioneers’ offices and more, while retaining the existing cricket pitch.

Overall, Kivells plan to create an agri-business hub with a livestock market at its core, together with agri-business employment land and a truck road service area.

This follows the findings from a strategic study undertaken by the English Beef and Lamb Executive (EBLEX) in 2014 on the future needs of livestock marketing for Cornwall.

Kivells know from experience of running livestock centres in Holsworthy, Hallworthy and Exeter, that there is ‘a growing synergistic business activity delivered by agri-business centres’, which would further provide access to cutting edge marketing, financial and veterinary advice, merchants and other crucial farm services and inputs.

It is hoped the proposed centre would also promote modern thinking in regards to animal husbandry, fuel economy, crop efficiency, environmental objectives and more. Kivells are also keen to provide access to counselling and pastoral advice to clients, which can be ‘much sought after by farmers during times of stress’.

Mr Hicks told the Post: “I think this will bring a range of benefits to local agriculture, Launceston, the firm and the local area, as well as the wider economy of Cornwall.”

The centre would be suitably positioned on the A30 between Cornwall and Devon, and Kivells claims they have already heard from various businesses wishing to locate near the market, which the firm claims highlights ‘the efficiencies which will be delivered to the rural community’.

Mr Hicks added: “Those from the rural economy are already talking about it.”

Kivells also hope to work collaboratively with local agricultural colleges such as Duchy College to face the challenges ahead for the rural economy including delivering the area’s environmental objectives and the county’s Nature Partnership Plan.

A spokesperson from Kivells said: “One of the findings of the 2014 EBLEX report was the prudency of rationalising the livestock centres at Liskeard and Hallworthy in order to create a flagship centre capable of attracting sustainable levels of all types of store and breeding stock with strategic ease of access to attract the equally needed critical levels of buyers from near and far.

“This proposal embraces this finding and is part of the trend towards larger regional markets, which can operate weekly or hold multiple sales each week and attract higher numbers of stock within a given class, which in turn attracts more buyers and increases the value of livestock being sold.

“The proposed centre will ensure Launceston becomes a location option for a wide range of farming businesses keen to access the client attraction to a new strategic livestock centre.”

The relocation of Hallworthy Market into the proposed centre is hoped to reduce the extent of heavy traffic through Pipers Pool on market days, as well as additionally easing pressure on the roads around Newport, St Stephens and Pennygillam in Launceston.

The possibility of a service station at the centre is hoped to provide a suitable stop for motorists coming to and from Cornwall and Devon, particularly during the high tourist seasons.

Kivells sees this as a further opportunity to strengthen marketing for the rural economy of the region by ensuring the service station operator specialises in promoting a wide range of the superb local farm produce available from Cornish and Devon farms, including meats, dairy produce, fruit juices, wines and vegetables.

This, along with the retention of the cricket pitch at the heart of the trunk road service area, will create an en-route destination stop for visitors to Cornwall and Devon, with a ‘truly special farm produce appeal’ and adding to the region’s already booming food and drink sector.

It is suggested that the centre will allow local rural businesses to expand, as well as creating further employment opportunities for Launceston, the surrounding villages and east Cornwall.

This, following the news that the Kensey Foods factory in Launceston is to potentially close by July of this year, is seen as a positive move by Kivells.

Mr Hicks said: “I think this will be a positive thing for the area, especially as we were hit by the very bad news regarding Kensey.”

A Kivells spokesperson added: “Launceston is the gateway to Cornwall and Devon with all roads in and out pivoting on the town’s strategic position — an ever more important factor as transport lorries and farm transport vehicles increase significantly in size. The delivery of this strategic development will re-establish Launceston as a market town and strengthen the ability of local rural businesses to access national markets, whilst keeping alive the only truly transparent open market method of trading livestock giving confidence and ensuring return of full value to the area’s livestock producers.”

With the project still in the early stages, Kivells have not yet submitted a planning application. However, they submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) screening application to Cornwall Council in December, in order to determine the reports needed and the next steps in which they need to take to submit their planning application in the near future.

Mr Hicks said: “We hope to go about this as efficiently as possible. We have consulted with the local council, neighbouring parish councils and the NFU, and have had very positive feedback from that. We have started informal consultations, but hope to begin the formal consultation (with the public) as soon as possible.”

What are your thoughts on the proposed agri-business centre and new livestock market for Launceston? Do you think it will benefit the local area?