Fight is launched over egg unit plan

County residents have today launched their fight against plans for a 40-acre free-range egg laying unit for 16,000 birds.

The homeowners from Richards Road estate at The Humbers, between Newport and Telford, said it would be "devastating" if the plans for the unit at Honnington Grange, on the outskirts of Lilleshall, got the go-ahead. They claim it would change the environment of the area's "natural paradise".

Farmer Richard Tompkinson has applied to Telford & Wrekin Council for permission to build a hut to house the chickens and a central packing centre at his arable Honnington Grange Farm.

A spokesman for the residents at The Humbers, who are opposing the plans, said: "Right next to the proposed site is mature woodland which is home to a well established badger set and foxes too have homes here plus many others.

"Also we have a military base which has a firing range and a helicopter training site and the flight path covers that whole field and surrounding areas.

This is around the clock and will terrorise the hens.

"We have several varieties of song birds in this area namely song thrush, lapwing and field fare. There are buzzards nesting locally, hawks and a barn owl. It is a natural paradise."The opposing residents also claimed the smell of ammonia from the chicken unit would be "pretty unpleasant".

The road would not be suitable for more traffic, especially large lorries, the spokesman added.

Agent Ian Pickford said the 16,000 was the most anyone could have in one free-range colony and would create "the highest level of free-range farming".

Mr Tompkinson, who lives on his dairy farm at Gnosall, said adding egg production to his business was "another string to his bow".

He said the animals' welfare was his "absolute priority".

The spokesman for the residents added: "Privately there are homes which have beautiful views which would find blighted by this proposal.

"We keep taking away our natural beauty sites in the name of progress and give nothing back, it's always take, take, take and we residents feel very passionate about stopping this application."

A decision on the application is expected by the end of May.