Whirlybird fears for Shropshire chicken farm plan
Plans to extend a poultry farm with new units for up to 200,000 chickens have been opposed by the Ministry of Defence – because the noise of helicopters could scare the birds.
Great Ness Poultry Farm Ltd is looking to build four new bird-rearing buildings, a biomass building, 10 feed bins and other buildings on land beside the A5 on Kinton Farm near Nesscliffe.
But the Defence Infrastructure Organisation has objected on behalf of the MoD as the the noise generated by helicopters from Nesscliffe Training Area, 840m away from the site, could have an adverse affect on the chickens.
In a letter to Shropshire Council, Jeremy Eaton, town and country planner for the DIO, said: "Given the nature of training activity undertaken at Nesscliffe Training Area and their close proximity to the application site, the MoD has significant concerns regarding the proposed development and its appropriateness for the application site.
"These concerns include the potential noise levels that would be experienced at the application site as a result of training activities undertaken at Nesscliffe Training Area and the associated impact on poultry that would inhabit the proposed poultry rearing buildings and the application site in general, and the potential impact of the proposed development on the training activities undertaken at Nesscliffe Training Area, as well as other concerns including down draught and lighting concerns.
"Movements of helicopters in and around the Nesscliffe Training Area, helicopters remaining operational with rotors turning for extended periods after landing and helicopters hovering above the ground for several minutes at a time, occasionally between five and 10 minutes, would produce a significant amount of low-frequency noise which can be particularly disturbing."
Mr Eaton said a study carried out by the US Defence Department had revealed that military overflights led to mortality due to panic reactions and pecking at other flock members among domestic chickens.
He added that Defra stipulates that all animals, including farmed poultry, must be looked after in ways which ensure that they do not experience any unnecessary distress or suffering.
Great Ness and Little Ness Parish Council has also objected to the plans, claiming the development's visual impact, pollution and waste management made it undesirable.
The firm behind the proposals said the development would help cut food miles by reducing the need to import foreign poultry.
Shropshire Council planners are to make a decision within the next few months.
