Shropshire chicken farm plans on hold again

Plans for the chicken farm were first submitted in November 2017

Councillors have deferred again a decision on plans for a chicken farm first proposed six years ago.

Up to 1,300 people have voiced concerns over the proposals for North Farm in Shropshire.

First submitted in 2017, councillors have further delayed their decision to allow the applicant more time to address the residents' concerns.

Shropshire Council officers had recommended refusal of the plans for four poultry sheds in Felton Butler.

A planning officer's report indicated there was not enough information in L J Cooke and Son's application regarding potential ammonia pollution and the impact the farm would have on local roads and the surrounding landscape.

There are also four other chicken farms within a two-mile radius of the site, the report from Kelvin Hall notes.

'Unsuitable HGV route'

The applicant's agent had also urged the council not to rush a decision, as a consultation that has involved Natural England was continuing.

Councillors voted to defer the decision until 7 November, following discussion of recommendations from Tabitha Lythe, planning and development services manager.

"We have got to get to a point where we say we have got as far as we can reasonably now," she told councillors.

"They can come back and re-submit, and lots of the reasons for refusal are things that could be overcome with sufficient information."

Other objections were lodged by Great Ness and Little Ness Parish Council and Shropshire Wildlife Trust, with concerns a proposed HGV route was "unsuitable" and issues concerning noise, ecology and odour had not been properly addressed.

The consultation on the plans is due to be completed by the end of October.