Little Ness poultry firm's expansion plans rejected

Controversial plans to build five massive poultry units in the Shropshire countryside have been thrown out by a Government inspector after a huge people-power campaign.

Gyllian Grindey, from the Planning Inspectorate, was tasked with deciding whether the sheds, which would have been able to house almost 250,000 chickens, could have been built at Foxholes Farm Buildings in Little Ness between Oswestry and Shrewsbury, after they had been rejected by Shropshire Council.

The proposals had originally been rejected by the council's strategic planning committee last year but farmer Guy Davies launched an appeal against the decision.

A hearing into the issue was carried out by Ms Grindey on May 31, followed by a site visit on June 1.

She heard from representatives of Mr Davies, Shropshire Council and the Nesses Action Group, which was set up to oppose the plans.

Ms Grindey rejected the appeal citing a number of objections to the site, including concerns about increased traffic, the impact on residents and the impact of the broiler units on the countryside.

She said: "I conclude that there would be a detrimental effect from the proposal on living conditions of nearby residents.

"The scheme would be out of character with the village and the small-scale nature of the countryside hereabouts and would harm the visual qualities that are clearly cherished by many."

Jim Townsend, chairman of the Great Nesses Action Group, said campaigners were delighted, especially as Ms Grindey had picked up on many of its objections.

He said: "We are very, very pleased that she has gone along with our view on this. It's a victory for community action."