Decision soon on huge Market Drayton broiler unit
A public inquiry will take place next week to decide whether controversial plans to create a broiler unit housing more than 300,000 chickens in Shropshire should be approved.
An application to build the unit at Vantage Farm, Bletchley, near Market Drayton, was turned down by Shropshire Council after it sparked a storm of opposition.
But applicants appealed the decision and have now been told a public inquiry lasting about five days will take place from Tuesday in Shirehall, starting at 10am.
Plans, which prompted more than 100 objections, also include creating control rooms, feed bins, a biomass store, boiler room and a weighbridge.
Moreton Say Parish Council objected to the plans on grounds of road safety. Shropshire Council's north planning committee turned down the application last February after raising concerns that it was in the wrong place.
But since the plans were first submitted applicants have decided to reduce the height of the feed bins and add more hedgerows in an effort to get them approved.
The owners of Vantage Farm, Michaela and Mike Harrison, said it was a sustainable development, which would create three jobs and help produce more than 5,000 tonnes of meat a year.
