Villagers upset at welly wanging plans

But brides-to-be could soon have the opportunity of getting their hands dirty on a farm for their pre-wedding party – in plans that have caused a stir in a village near the Shropshire border.

The farm activity centre, earmarked for Bronington, near Whitchurch, would host welly wanging, pig herding and games with tractors.

As well as hen and stag parties, it would provide corporate away days and for 12 days a year it will be used as a DIY wedding venue.

The plans, submitted by Yorkshire-based firm Farm Adventure, are expected to be given the green light by Wrexham Council on Monday.

The company already provides alternative wedding-themed events in Ripon and want to expand into rural Shropshire.

It's not a prospect that has delighted locals in Bronington, who have already submitted a series of objections to planners.

But Laura Middleton, one of the owners of Farm Adventure, said the business would bring jobs to the region and also offer an alternative fun location for party groups.

She said: "My husband Rob has been a farmer for 15 years and in 2010 he thought of the idea of an activity centre for groups in order to diversify. We set up the centre in Ripon, Yorkshire, in 2011 and have gone from strength to strength.

"Anyone who has wanted to drive a real John Deere tractor, coax a pig through some obstacles or gather a flock of sheep will have a great time with us.

"People don't often get the opportunity to be hands on at a farm so we wanted to provide that as well as educate people about farming.

"We have had a lot of inquiries from people in Manchester, Birmingham and Wales so we wanted to expand and create a centre to cater for those people.

"When the site is used as a farm activity centre visitors will be able to engage in sheep gathering, tractor driving, pig herding, welly throwing, egg throwing, tug of war, greasy pole and a farm-related relay race.

"When the land is not in use as a farm activity centre or as a wedding venue it will be used for agricultural purposes. We will have a small flock of sheep and pigs."

The details submitted suggest that the site will provide work for four employees. Plans suggest up to 45 people will attend the farm activity centre at any one time and up to 100 people will attend weddings held at the site.

Residents around the site, in Ellesmere Road, have submitted 16 objections to the development. Bronington Community Council has also objected to the application, listing a range of reasons why it should be refused. These include lack of engagement with the local community, road traffic safety on the A495, parking concerns, noise levels, ecology worries as there are buzzards in the area, and the site's proximity to a shooting range.

The plans are being recommended for approval by planning officers, although conditions state the land should not be used as a wedding venue for more than 12 days a year, or as a farm activity centre for more than 48 days a year. Similarly, the site must not be used as a wedding venue outside the hours of 9am to midnight or as a farm activity centre outside of 9am and 5pm. The plans will be discussed in the Guildhall, Wrexham, at 4pm on Monday.