Parish council call over turkey farm plan near Newport

Chetwynd Parish Council has objected to plans for a 35,000-chicken farm, proposed for land on Deepdale Farm, on Chester Road in the village.

The council held a meeting last week, attended by 73 residents and Telford & Wrekin Councillor Stephen Burrell, ward member for Edgmond & Ercall Magna.

The plans were set to be decided by Telford & Wrekin Council officers using delegated powers, but members of the council have called for them to be sent to planning committee so that they can be debated by elected councillors.

Neighbour Val Harvey, who attended the meeting said: "As a result the parish council have objected to the planning application and asked that it be dealt with by the plans board rather than under delegated powers.

"They also discussed the possibility of requesting that the Environmental Agency conduct a full review, including a site visit, of the technical documents that have been submitted by the applicant.

"This would not normally happen as the number of birds is just below the limit for the Environmental Agency to become involved."

The plans have already faced opposition from residents, and on the council's online portal, 27 objections have been raised.

Neighbours of the farm have raised concern over the potential smell from the farm and that waste disposal could attract vermin.

It is proposed that four turkey-rearing houses which would accommodate up to 35,000 turkeys be constructed on land to the south of the existing farm buildings. Male turkeys would be brought to the site at around 36 days old at a weight of approximately 1.5 kg and reared up to around 136 days old at which stage they would weigh around 17.5 kg.

These houses would be ventilated using high velocity fans.

In the odour assessment by Vicky Price at Berry's, conducted for the applicant, it says: "Odour concentrations are below the Environment Agency's benchmark for moderately offensive odours."