County farms in chicken unit bid
Twenty-four thousand free range chickens could soon be laying eggs at two Shropshire farms. Twenty-four thousand free range chickens could soon be laying eggs at two Shropshire farms. The beef and sheep farms in Clun and Colebatch, near Bishop's Castle, have both seen their outline planning applications passed by South Shropshire District Council this week. Lower Weston Farm, in Clun, owned by Robert Morris, and Penan Heath Farm, at Colebatch, owned by Stephen Jones, both applied for permission for a 12,000 bird, free-range egg laying unit. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
Twenty-four thousand free range chickens could soon be laying eggs at two Shropshire farms.
The beef and sheep farms in Clun and Colebatch, near Bishop's Castle, have both seen their outline planning applications passed by South Shropshire District Council this week.
Lower Weston Farm, in Clun, owned by Robert Morris, and Penan Heath Farm, at Colebatch, owned by Stephen Jones, both applied for permission for a 12,000 bird, free-range egg laying unit.
Agents Ian Pick Ltd said: "The maximum number of birds you can have in one unit is 16,000 so 12,000 is quite average.
"With people like Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall promoting free range and the demand increasing substantially, there isn't enough supply to keep up with the demand."
Mr Morris added: "This will establish another income for us. New units on UK farms will help to produce the stock locally."
