Decision on Shropshire chicken farm plans put off again

Plans for the chicken farm were first submitted in November 2017

A long-awaited decision on plans first submitted in 2017 for a chicken farm have been put off again.

New information concerning North Farm substantially changed the plans and a fresh consultation period was now needed, Shropshire Council said.

A report from planning officers recommended approval of the poultry units, housing 200,000 birds.

Up to 1,300 people had voiced concerns over the initial plans.

The plans were set to be decided by Shropshire Council's northern planning committee on Tuesday, after being deferred last month to wait for extra information from the applicants.

Owners L J Cooke and Son had provided additional information that was necessary to tackle the concerns over odour, ammonia, ecology, highways and the visual impact.

"Economic benefit"

But Philip Mullineux, development manager for the north of the county, told members at the meeting he was instead recommending another deferral because the new information made significant changes to the proposal.

This would allow members of the public and parish council to view and comment on the new details before a decision is made, he said.

Over 1,000 people signed an online petition when the application was first submitted with 23 household objecting and one letter of support.

Great Ness and Little Ness Parish Council also objected, along with Shropshire Wildlife Trust and Nesscliffe Hills and District Bridleway Association.

But in a report to councillors, planning officer Kelvin Hall said the four units would have an economic benefit, and that the applicant had now shown the development would not negatively affect the local area "to an unacceptable degree".