180,000-chicken unit plan in Clun up for decision
A proposal to build four giant sheds housing up to 180,000 chickens on a farm in a Shropshire beauty spot are being recommended for approval by planners.
J Gwilliam and Sons wants to build the 300ft-long sheds on the farm in Guilden Down, Clun, which is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The plan would see two jobs created, one for a full-time poultry manager and the other for a part-time worker in the sheep and arable businesses on the farm.
Conditions
Members of Shropshire Council's South Planning Committee are being recommended to give the scheme the go-ahead, subject to conditions, when they meet next Tuesday. The proposed sheds would be 80ft wide and 15ft high.
A report to next week's meeting says the buildings, which would be clad in steel sheeting coloured dark blue, would be sited on a sloping, arable field and each would house about 45,000 chickens.
A new farm access road is planned as part of the development which would connect the broiler sheds to the A488 Bishop's Castle to Clun road. The report says: "A substantial landscaping and tree planting scheme is proposed to assimilate the new poultry sheds and access road into the landscape."
Councillors will hear that two letters from nearby residents have been received, with two objecting and one in support.
The report recommends councillors approve the application.
It concludes: "The proposal secures the future viability of a large, family farm which is part of the local agricultural economy and will provide and maintain local jobs.
"In this case the visual impact is limited to a relatively small area around the site due to the local topography.
"The site is not prominent in the local landscape and the mitigation proposed through the substantial landscaping proposals will soften the appearance.
"Routing lorries through the new access will be a significant benefit to the residents of Clun and this firmly tips the balance in favour of granting planning permission."
