Poultry units housing 80,000 birds planned in Shropshire countryside

Plans have been unveiled to create the units on Bradeley Farm in Childs Ercall, near Market Drayton.

The Clifton family has submitted a full planning application to Shropshire Council for the buildings, which will be used to rear broiler chickens for meat.

The family has been farming in the local area for many years and relocated the farm to the current location several years ago.

The farm is currently a mixed livestock and arable farm, producing beef cattle, and the family is now looking to expand and diversify into poultry broiler production.

Amy Henson, on behalf of the agents Berrys, said: "Traffic will be directed on the A41 so it will not go through the village of Childs Ercall.

"In terms of threat of vermin, we will be guided by the council on that."

A statement on behalf of the applicant said the proposed site is well screened and the approach roads should be able to accommodate the traffic needed for the development.

"The site is perfect in size and location to house the buildings," it said.

The statement added: "It benefits from existing access through the farm yard and has an existing farm track that already extends all the way around the site.

"The buildings would be purpose built and used to rear broiler chickens for meat.

"The proposed site is considered as being low impact, benefiting from screening afforded by the existing farm structures to be retained, and the natural topography and features of the surrounding landscape.

"The existing access to the highway is to be utilised and the surrounding highways network is considered to be capable of accommodating the proposed development without having a detrimental affect on highway safety or the amenities of road users.

"The approach roads to the site from Heathcote crossroads are considered to have overall satisfactory width and good forward visibility in the vicinity of the site access and passing areas where needed.

"The farm will use shared loads for feedstock and fuel where possible as a part of a sensible and proactive farm management strategy.

"The manure removal, being dispersed locally on nearby farms and land owned by the applicant, will not have a significant impact."

Councillor Trevor Mellor, of Childs Ercall Parish Council, said the application is due to be discussed at its next meeting on February 18, and didn't wish to comment on it before then.

Shropshire Council hopes to determine the application by May 4.