Sixth 16,000-bird poultry unit planned for farm near Wem
Owners of a farm near Wem have submitted plans to build a sixth free range poultry shed housing 16,000 birds for egg production.
Applicants LW Gough & Son want to build another 16,000-capacity poultry unit on land adjoining Lower Fenemere Farm, Myddle.
The first poultry shed at the farm was built in 1998 and since then the farm has expanded and now has 80,000 birds on site.
The birds are able to roam the surrounding agricultural land via pop holes within the sides of the building. These are opened in the morning and closed at dawn.
The birds arrive on site and stay as one flock cycle for 14 months.
The current buildings are naturally ventilated and assisted by roof mounted high velocity mechanical extractor fans.
As well as two family employees, the farm employs four full time and two part time staff.
In a document submitted to Shropshire Council's planning department it states: "The existing operation has an environmental permit which was recently varied to allow 91,999 laying hens and construction of an additional house for free range laying hens.
"The new scheme proposes the erection of a free range poultry unit to accommodate 16,000 birds along with the appropriate ranging areas.
"The new house will be close to the existing laying house one and it will be refereed to as house six.
"The new house will be ventilated with high-speed extraction fans, with gable end fans.
"There will be two new feed bins positioned close to this house, each with 16 tonnes compound feed capacity.
"After each flock has been depopulated, the new house will be cleaned and disinfected and wash-water will be contained in an existing below-ground tank which is currently used for house one.
"Manure, litter and dirty water will be utilised as at present for the other houses, taken off site.
"The proposed building is of a design and scale which sits comfortably within the setting of the site and would not appear obtrusive in this open countryside. It is proposed to plant additional trees as part of a wider landscape planting scheme.
"Each building will de-stock to ensure the number of birds on site does not exceed 91,999 birds."
People can comment on the plans via the Shropshire Council website.
