Chicken unit set to double to over 60,000
The number of chickens at a rearing unit on a Mid Wales farm is set to double to more than 60,000 after an application for a new building was granted.
RB Jones and Sons submitted a planning application to expand an existing free range egg complex at Black Hall in Llandyssil, near Montgomery.
A planning meeting in Llandrindod Wells heard from planning officers who recommended the application for approval, and it was passed by councillors on the committee as per the recommendation.
The recommendation said: "Officers are satisfied that the proposed development complies with the relevant policies within the Powys Unitary Development Plan 2010 and Powys County Council Local Development Plan and the recommendation is one of conditional consent in line with the conditions as set out."
Planning permission was granted in 2011 to build a unit to house 32,000 free range chickens, and the new application will see a similar unit built and the amount of chickens doubled to 64,000.
Currently the land on which the unit would be built is used for grazing, and the new unit would be adjacent to the existing building.
The application also includes six feed silos, extended hard standing, alterations to a private access road, as well as a controlled plant room, egg store, store room, an office and welfare facilities.
Abermule and Llandyssil Community Council supported the application and stated: "This is a local farmer and would assist with future proofing providing employment within the local community."
However Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust had objected to the application due to potential impacts on ancient woodland.
A number of public representations were received during the application process, with locals concerned about odours from the poultry unit and mature store, de-valued properties, increased volumes of traffic and landscape impact.
