Two chicken sheds housing 100,000 birds win approval

The proposal by farmer Daniel Jones to diversify Poulton Farm at Little Minsterley, was given the unanimous approval of members of Shropshire Council's central planning committee.

Two broiler poultry sheds and three feed bins will be built to house the birds, which will be brought in as day-old chicks and stay at the units for a 36-day growth period before being collected and taken to a processing plant.

Councillor Tudor Bebb, ward member for Minsterley, told the meeting that farmers like Mr Jones deserved the council's support and that the development is one that is necessary.

He said: "You have a young man setting out on a farming career after helping to run the family business. People like this need our support.

"This is needed in this country and this area to save the import of chickens from Thailand and other places where they do not have the controls that we do in this country."

Councillor Bebb also dismissed any potential concerns over odour as a result of the development.

He said: "The odour, although it keeps coming up, is something that is strictly controlled. If there is a smell they are shut down until it is put right."

Committee member Roger Evans said he believed the application should be approved.

He said: "This is in a better position than many applications we get for poultry farms that we have supported."

Councillor Ted Clarke said there were no concerns over the visual impact of the development while Councillor Kevin Pardy said they should look to support people trying to make a living.

Councillor Pardy said: "You cannot help but recognise how hard this young chap is working to make a living.

"On the planning side of things I think we have had other applications that are similar to this and we not had problems in the past."

The proposal was approved at a meeting held at Shirehall yesterday.