Plans submitted for 160,000-bird poultry farm

A planning application for a new poultry farm housing 160,000 birds has been submitted.

The applicants want to build four poultry houses on land southwest of Manor Farm, Sherrifhales, near Shifnal in Shropshire.

The land, north of the A5, was approved for use as a pig unit in July 2023 but the applicants now want to use it as a site for broiler chickens "to diversify their business", according to the application.

A public consultation on the plans is open until 7 June.

The proposals include four poultry houses, each housing 40,000 birds, linked by a 117m-long corridor with an amenity block, as well as feed bins, a shed for dead birds, dirty water tanks and a parking area.

Broiler chickens would be reared on the site for about 38 days, beginning when they are a day old.

The site would then remain empty for 10 days for cleaning while the next batch of chicks is prepared. The application estimates about 1.2m birds would be processed each year, under standards set out by the Better Chicken Commitment programme.

Manure would be removed in sealed trailers to be disposed of via an anaerobic digester in Oswestry.

Planning consultant Ian Pick, of Harrison Pick, said the farm would bring economic benefits to the area, including the creation of two full-time jobs.

"The proposed development will offer a substantial initial cash injection into the rural economy through the construction phase," he said. "[It] will also provide a significant contribution to the associated services industries within the poultry sector.

"The added value to the local economy through direct and indirect employment for the development is substantial."

Mr Pick added that an odour impact assessment suggested any smells emanating from the farm would be largely contained to the immediate vicinity.

A landscape mitigation plan includes the planting of trees to shield the view of the farm.

Shropshire Council is expected to make a decision on the plans in August.

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