Go-ahead for sheds with 32,000 chickens near Market Drayton

Some villagers in Ollerton, near Market Drayton, said the unit would ruin the village and put residents at peril.

However, at a meeting of Shropshire Council's north planning committee yesterday, councillors granted permission for the scheme put forward by applicant Andrew Hollins.

The scheme will see two free range egg-laying units, together housing a total of 32,000 birds at Ollerton Park.

Councillors were told the park was not a designated park and was used for agriculture. Local resident Richard Perry told the meeting that the nearby road was very narrow, full of blind bends and had seen many accidents over the years.

He said: "This application will help one man's chicken empire but will ruin a Shropshire village, put residents at more peril and blight the land forever."

More than 50 people signed a petition against the proposal and one person changed the village sign from Ollerton to "Eggerton".

Stoke-upon-Tern Parish Council also objected to the proposal and 31 letters were written against the plans.

However, Shropshire Council received 14 letters supporting the application, including a letter from the Market Drayton and Whitchurch branch of the National Farmers' Union. One supporter, Barry Peers said that the roads were used by other farming businesses and buses without problem.

He said the application was environmentally friendly as the scheme includes a pond and tree planting area in a bid to create new habitats and wildlife corridors.

Planning officer Philip Mullineux said the plans would have "limited impact on the landscape".

Once operational, the development will require two full-time workers.