Torridge District Council Planning Officers Visit Seckington Dairies to Discuss Challenges Facing the Modern Dairy Sector

Planning officers from Torridge District Council were welcomed by Seckington Dairies recently for an in‑depth briefing on the realities and pressures currently facing the UK dairy sector.

The session - organised and chaired by business advisors from North Devon+—was led by Seckington Dairies Simon Goaman partner/owner of the business who provided a detailed overview of the farm's development, including its growth into a modern dairy operation with capacity for up to 2,000 cows. Mr. Goaman explained the dairy's evolution from its early beginnings to its current scale, outlining the economic, environmental, and regulatory drivers shaping operations.

Representatives from the National Farmers Union (NFU) joined the meeting to explore the key barriers affecting rural economic growth. Discussions centred on how planning processes can better support agricultural businesses by understanding the reasoning behind applications—often driven by regulatory requirements, external organisations, or government‑funded initiatives rather than the farms themselves.

The visit offered a valuable opportunity for open dialogue between planners and farming representatives, strengthening understanding and contributing to more informed decision-making.

Councillor Ken James, Leader of Torridge District Council, said:

"I would like to thank North Devon+ for arranging such a valuable for meeting which was thoroughly beneficial for all parties.  Visiting Seckington Dairies has helped give officers a clearer picture of the challenges facing modern farming - as a farmer myself this is something that I feel very passionately about. Understanding the scale, regulations, and practical needs of agricultural businesses helps us, as a council, with the decision-making process. I cannot stress how much we value opportunities like this to work collaboratively with the sector."

Simon Goaman, Owner/Partner from Seckington Dairies, said:

"Today's visit was invaluable in helping decision-makers see first-hand the challenges and opportunities within modern dairying. Collaborative conversations like this are essential if rural businesses are to thrive. All supply chains are fully dependant on strong robust farming businesses and here at Seckington Dairies we aim to demonstrate that thoroughly.  What we want to see throughout our area is for more agricultural products being processed and distributed to the end customer.  Any support to enable this to happen would be greatly appreciated"

Sophie Heard, Devon County Advisor, National Farmers Union, said:

"Farmers are ready to invest, innovate, and contribute to rural economic growth, but they need planning systems that recognise the realities of modern agriculture. Today's visit was a positive step toward ensuring that decision‑making reflects what is actually happening on farms and the pressures driving change."

Feb 26