Shropshire farmer appeals over poultry unit refusal

John Owen wants to create four units, totalling 10,000 sq ft, on Flemming's Field in Acton Pigot, near Shrewsbury. His application was rejected by Shropshire Council's planning committee in May.

It came after residents and Berrington and Acton Burnell parish councils raised concerns about the impact of increased traffic to the site and plans for regular overnight deliveries.

Councillors ruled that the development would cause 'significant damage' to the surrounding area.

However, a statement in support of the unit, submitted to Shropshire Council, said it would integrate with the local landscape and contribute to the UK's self sufficiency in poultry meat.

Mr Owen has now lodged an appeal against the planning committee's decision.

A council spokesman confirmed the council has had a copy of the appeal forms lodged with the Planning Inspectorate. He added: "The council has not received confirmation from the Planning Inspectorate that the appeal is valid, and as such we have not had notice of a start date."

During the planning process the controversial scheme attracted more than 140 letters of objection from residents living nearby, who also formed a protest group.

Today Gary Pearce, acting chairman of Villages Action Group said: "It's hard to un-derstand how the applicant hopes to overturn the council's decision reached in May which was on the grounds of heritage, roads, loss of am-enity to residents in properties along the route and impact on the countryside.

"I can confirm the Village's Action Group will do everything it can to support the council in their defence of the decision to refuse."

Mr Owen did not wish to comment at this stage.