Bletchley villagers in final broiler unit battle
Campaigners against proposals for a chicken broiler unit in a village in Shropshire were today making a last-gasp plea for the plans to be turned down.
Members of Bletchley Residents' Group were due to tackle Shropshire Council's north planning committee about the application for six poultry units housing more than 300,000 chickens at Vantage Farm in the village near Market Drayton.
The proposals have been recommended for approval and a final decision was being made at a meeting in Edinburgh House in Wem this afternoon.
The plans were first submitted in April and more than 100 people objected, including Moreton Say Parish Council.
Villagers claim the poultry units will cause traffic problems, create unpleasant smells and affect the rural environment.
In a report to be put to the committee, planning officers said the scheme was considered 'an acceptable form of development in the countryside'.
The owners of Vantage Farm, Michaela and Mike Harrison, said it was a sustainable economic development and the scheme would create three jobs and help produce over 5,000 tonnes of meat a year.
They aim to supply chickens to major supermarkets.
When the planning application was received the Bletchley Residents' Association began a campaign to stop the proposals, including putting up a banner on the A41.
A campaigning Facebook page, 'Bletchley Broiling Point' was also started.
Local people said the development would mean more than 300 lorries arriving at the farm every six to seven weeks.
Objector, Mary Channer said: "This unit will be the size of Wembley stadium and next to our homes and within 600 metres of the school."
The animal welfare group PETA has also objected but the planning officers say animal welfare can not be taken into consideration.
Since the plans were first submitted more than eight months ago Harrison Farms, has reduced the height of feed bins, increased the size of a nearby road junction and added hedgerows and signs to its application.
