Ministry of Defence fears over Shropshire chicken sheds are dismissed
Four chicken sheds will be built in the Shropshire countryside after fears raised by the Ministry of Defence that its helicopters could cause distress to the animals were dismissed.
The sheds, which will each house up to 50,000 birds, will be built at Ensdon Farm in Montford Bridge, near Shrewsbury.
The plans were given the blessing of Shropshire Council's central planning committee yesterday.
Councillors were told that the only objection to the proposal had come from the Ministry of Defence.
The organisation had said it was concerned about the impact of noise from helicopters at its Nesscliffe training base on the chickens.
Planning officer Kelvin Hall told the committee: "We have had no objection from our statutory consultees or local residents.
"We have had an objection from the Ministry of Defence concerned that the use of their helicopters might harm the welfare of birds in the buildings.
"Officers are content the noise to birds from helicopters will be very low."
Councillor David Roberts, who represents Loton, spoke at the meeting and told members he did not believe the objection was valid.
He said: "I seem to be the council's expert on chicken sheds as I have at least 72 on my patch and at least 16 are closer to the Nesscliffe training area than this so I am really surprised about the Ministry of Defence objection.
"This is an excellent application."
As part of the planning permission four sheds will be built, each 115 metres by 27 metres, and 4.8 metres tall.
There will also be a biomass boiler introduced in a separate building, an office, photovoltaic panels, and feed bins.
A report to the committee outlined that planning officers supported the application.
It also dismissed the Ministry of Defence concerns.
It stated: "It is not considered likely that the birds within the buildings would be adversely affected by military activities in general area."
The Ministry of Defence objection had stated: "Concerns include the potential noise levels that would be experienced at the application site as a result of the training activities undertaken at Nesscliffe Training Area and Montford Bridge Airfield and the associated impact on the 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 downdraught and lighting concerns."
