Plans approved to double size of poultry unit near Wem

The decision by Shropshire Council's north planning committee will see the number of birds at Burlton Lane Farm in Myddle, rise from 32,000 to 64,000.

Myddle and Broughton Parish Council had objected to the scheme initially, but after taking with the farmer, Thomas Powell, about their concerns, withdrew their objections.

Committee member Councillor Vince Hunt praised the way local people had handled the application.

He said: "I don't have an issue with this. It's nice to see that the application has addressed some of the concerns of the parish council. That shows that some of these units, if we'll managed and well run, are not as bad as people think they may be."

Councillors agreed unanimously to delegate authority to the head of planning services to grant planning permission for the proposed development, subject to a satisfactory response from Natural England.

Mr Powell put forward the plans to help meet the increasing demand for free range eggs. He says market share for free range eggs, including organic, has increased to approximately 45 per cent of all eggs sold.

The expansion could also potentially lead to the creation of new jobs.

There are currently two existing buildings on the site which each accommodate 16,000 free range birds.

As part of the proposals both the existing buildings would be extended by two bays to increase the number of birds each can accommodate.