Homes plan for pig farm after smell forces relocation
A pig farm is to be relocated – and 31 houses built in its place – after the smell was deemed to be affecting the lives of nearby residents.
Manor House farm on the outskirts of Sheriffhales has revealed plans to move its pig rearing operation to a newly built facility further away from the village, following a court ruling that it was creating a statutory nuisance in the form of odour.
Under the proposals, the current farm is to be redeveloped into housing to help fund the construction of the new farm, with the conversion of the existing traditional barns and the addition 31 new build properties.
Modern farm buildings will be demolished and like-for-like replacements built on a new site one mile from Sheriffhales, accessed via a track off the A5 rather than a lane through the village as is currently the case.
A supporting statement by Berrys, agent to the applicant, says: “While contrary to normal planning policies, there are very special circumstances in this instance that warrant the support for the relocation by officers at Shropshire Council.
“Currently the type of farming operation at Manor Farm is deemed to be a statutory nuisance in terms of odour having a detrimental impact upon the residential amenity of local residents.
“It has been recommended by the court order that the farming enterprise is relocated away from the existing site to a more appropriate location on the farm, well away from residential properties.”
The statement says there will be no financial gain for the applicant from the development, which is intended to fund the relocation of the farm on a cost neutral basis. The new facility will house up to 2,000 pigs at a time, the same capacity as the current farm.
It concludes: “The proposal would provide high quality housing to contribute to the local and national housing supply.
“Occupants of the proposed dwellings can take advantage of, and support, local services and facilities available within Sheriffhales and the surrounding centres of Telford and Shifnal.
“The proposal will have a significant benefit to the local economy during the construction phase of the development.”
