£2.2 million Shawbury poultry shed plan set for approval

Applicant Tony Heal of Heal Eggs wants to build the poultry unit for egg production at Coolmoor Farm, Hazels Road, Shawbury.

His proposal will be discussed by members of Shropshire Council's north planning meeting on Tuesday at Shirehall, Shrewsbury, at 2pm.

Mr Heal currently runs a large scale agricultural business within the Shawbury area.

This business includes 4,700 acres of agricultural land, together with a large scale poultry enterprise which extends to 264,000 free range laying hens, 64,000 pullet rearing places, and 122,000 colony hens.

The existing business employs 40 full time workers and bosses say the new development will require three new full time workers on site.

Stanton-upon-Hine Heath Parish Council has objected to the proposal after raising concerns about how dead chickens will be dealt with and disposed of from the site as well as the potential for odours that may impact on the local residents.

Shropshire Council received nine letters from residents who raised concerns about smell and noise issues as well as the impacts on the footpaths that cross the site.

A report prepared by council case officer Philip Mullineux states: "The proposal is for one large egg laying unit, four feed silos, new access road and supporting infrastructure on a greenfield site for the housing of up to 64,000 egg laying birds in total on site.

"It is acknowledged that the development is significant in scale and does have a limited impact on the landscape. However it is considered that the proposed development, with consideration to the surrounding landscape character, topography and field layout, with further landscape mitigation, can be successfully integrated into the surrounding landscape.

"Consideration has also been given to impacts on the historic landscape which includes the setting of designated and non designated heritage assets. Therefore on balance with consideration to the location, size and scale and cumulative impacts, it is considered that there will not be an adverse impact.

"Public highway access and transportation issues have also been carefully considered and with the proposed highway access improvements as offered by the applicant, the application on highway and transportation matters is considered acceptable."

In a document submitted to Shropshire Council in support of the application it states: “The proposed development involves a substantial investment in buildings and infrastructure by the applicants amounting to £2.2 million.

“This includes groundworks and concrete, buildings, and internal equipment fitting.

“The building is subdivided into four bird housing sections, together with a central area for egg packing and storage.

“The bird housing areas include a multi-tier system, which includes rows of tiered perches, which are situated over manure belts.”