Inquiry date for Shropshire 180,000-chickens shed bid
The date of a public inquiry over controversial plans to build giant poultry sheds housing up to 180,000 birds in the Shropshire countryside has been confirmed.
The five-day hearing at Shropshire Council's Shirehall will start on May 8. A Government planning inspector will rule over 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.
Members of Shropshire Council's planning committee threw the development out last May after hearing the poultry units would cater for approximately 176,340 broiler chickens. Councillors said it would cause 'significant damage' to the local area.
But the applicants appealed against the refusal and both sides will put forward their cases at the May hearing to the planning inspector, who will then decide whether to overturn the local authority's original decision.
Peter Rickett, senior communications officer for the Planning Inspectorate, said: "I can confirm that the inquiry will begin on May 8 and will last for a full five working days. It will take place in the council chambers of Shropshire Council in Abbey Foregate, in Shrewsbury."
The planned development will also include 10 feed bins, a biomass heating plant, new vehicle access and landscaping. But residents and members of Berrington and Acton Burnell parish councils have raised concerns over increased traffic and plans for regular overnight deliveries.
Gary Pearce, chairman of the Villages Action Group, which was set up to fight the plans, said people still had 'huge' concerns about the plans and added the group would 'do whatever it takes' to win the planning inquiry.
"This has the potential to affect a large number of people in numerous villages," he said.
