Sheds to house 80,000 chickens near Market Drayton approved

The scheme to create the units on Bradeley Farm in Childs Ercall, near Market Drayton, have been approved by Shropshire Council using delegated powers.

The Clifton family submitted a full planning application to the council for the buildings, which will be used to rear broiler chickens for meat. The family has been farming in the 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.

Shropshire Council received two letters from the public which raised concerns over the spread of disease via manure spreading and HGV movements in Childs Ercall.

But Childs Ercall Parish Council raised no objection to the application.

Audrey Wellings, clerk to the parish council, said: "The parish council acknowledges the applicant has suggested that all deliveries and collections associated with the proposed activity, coming to and leaving the development site, do not travel along St Michael's Way/Crow Lane but travel only via the routes proposed in the design and access statement.

"There is concern that Crow Lane already has difficulty coping with the increasing number of vehicles travelling to the Ollerton Business Park along the narrow lane which has no permanent constructed passing places."

A report on behalf of Shropshire Council's planning officers said: "The proposal is for two intensive broiler units and supporting infrastructure which will house up to 80,000 birds on site, as part of an appropriate farm diversification venture for the existing family farming business.

"The proposed development raises no adverse concerns from any of the statutory consultees to the application and with no objections from the parish council, the development is considered acceptable."

"The proposal will require an environmental permit issued and monitored by the Environment Agency in order to operate and this will control issues in relationship to residential amenity, noise and environmental matters."

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.

Amy Henson, on behalf of the agents Berrys, said traffic will be directed on the A41, meaning it will not go through the village of Childs Ercall.

She added Shropshire Council will guide them on the potential threat of vermin.