225,000-bird poultry sheds plan near Bridgnorth

Plans have been submitted for four 113m by 26m sheds, eight feed bins and a biomass boiler on a farm at Faintree.

The sheds would be on land at Walkhamwood Farm, which is currently only used for crops and pasture, to the south west of Bridgnorth, off the B4364 road to Ludlow.

In a planning statement drawn up by agents Berrys, consultant Ben Corbett said the was farm run by the Mottershead family who wanted to diversify – and with the burgeoning state of the poultry industry, plus the family's previous experience in it, the move made sense.

He said the enterprise would create one full-time role with part time support, and add value to the local economy.

He said: "ST Mottershead and Son is a family-owned farming business and currently operates a mixed holding for the production of arable crops and pasture land for grazing and forage crops at Walkhamwood Farm.

"Mr Mottershead has operated poultry farms over the last 25 years and given the challenging financial climate of farming has identified establishing a poultry enterprise at Walkhamwood Farm to diversify the current business and provide longer-term financial security.

"A successful growing business will also add value to the local economy by supporting the local supply chain and creating additional jobs."

Mr Corbett said the UK poultry industry produced £2 billion worth of produce a year and was continuing to grow to meet demand.

"Walkhamwood Farm is well placed to meet this demand as it has a suitable site and Mr Mottershead has extensive experience for operating such enterprises," he added.

Each unit is planned to have 21 high-velocity ridge fans to disperse odour and keep the temperature in line with animal welfare standards. An access road is also planned to be built from the B4364, north of the farm, as the existing entrance has poor visibility and two-way lorry access is not possible.

While the operation would be 24 hours a day, most deliveries would take place between 7am and 8pm, he said, with about 129 visits from lorries, tractors, vans and minibuses per chicken cycle, with about seven cycles a year, Mr Corbett said.

Lighting will be kept to a minimum and a "natural woodland" will be created by planting trees to the south, west and north of the poultry units, he said.

The scheme will be discussed at a later date by planners.

Plans for chicken sheds have proved controversial in the county, though many have been approved in recent months despite local objection.

However, one at Hopton Heath, near Craven Arms, was refused recently over concerns it may risk of polluting the nearby River Clun, a habitat for the rare freshwater pearl mussel protected by European law.