Shropshire chicken shed protest rakes in £1,000 boost

The Villages Action Group are battling plans submitted by John Owen, of J G Owen and Co, to build four units totalling 10,000 sq ft on Flemming's Field in Acton Pigot, near Shrewsbury.

The poultry units would house approximately 176,340 broiler chickens and include 10 feed bins, a biomass heating plant, new vehicle access and landscaping.

The proposals were originally thrown out by Shropshire Council's planning committee in May last year after councillors maintained it would cause 'significant damage' to the local area but now a five-day public inquiry will be staged in May. It will be chaired by a Government planning inspector.

It means the action group needs additional funds to continue their opposition and more than £1,000 was raised at the start of the month through a race night held at Pitchford Village Hall.

Organisers say the venue was full of cheering 'race-goers' as horses and jockeys were auctioned and the action of the races unfolded.

Gary Pearce, chairman of the Villages Action Group, said: "It is even more important now that we do everything we can to ensure that this development does not go ahead.

"We are now seeing applications for sites in other parts of Shropshire to add more sheds to their existing ones so no-one should take the view that 'it's only four sheds' because there is a real possibility that it could end up with double that number and double the traffic and pollution.

"We have held yet another really successful fundraiser so we are in a strong position financially."

He added: "The fact we can raise £1,000 in just one night shows the strength of feeling people have against these plans."

The public inquiry will be held between May 8 and 15 with a location yet to be finalised, although it is likely to be in Shrewsbury.

The applicants say it would integrate with the local landscape and contribute to the UK's self sufficiency in poultry meat.