Shropshire Star

Decision on proposed chicken farm delayed

Protesters face a long wait to hear the decision on controversial plans to build an intensive chicken farm near Bridgnorth after judgement was reserved at the court of appeal.

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A chicken farm

Tasley Action Group, which formed to fight plans that would see a farm housing more than 200,000 birds built, appeared before a panel of judges alongside representatives of Shropshire Council on Tuesday.

The case was heard by the Master of the Rolls, Terence Etherton, Lady Justice King and Lord Justice Lindblom.

Judgement was reserved to be handed down at a later date – there is no specific time-frame for when the judgement will be handed down, which could take months.

Shropshire Council granted planning permission for the farm in Tasley in September 2017.

Scrutiny

The proposals have since been under scrutiny from residents, leading to Tasley Action Group forming to fight the plans.

Farmer Matthew Bower of Tasley wants to produce 1,570,000 standard broiler chickens annually in four large sheds at Footbridge Farm.

It will generate more than 2,300 tonnes of chicken manure every year, to be spread on Mr Bower’s land and other local fields.

The scheme has already come under challenge at London’s High Court due to environmental concerns raised by residents.

The action group raised a judicial review against Shropshire Council citing “inadequacies” in the manure management report and the council’s “failure to take account of the impact of spreading manure from the chicken farm for the residents of Bridgnorth”.

Decision

But Judge Rhodri Price Lewis QC ruled there was nothing unlawful about the council’s decision.

Speaking after the court of appeal hearing, George Edwards, a spokesman for Tasley Action Group, said: “It was an intensive all-day session in front of three senior appeal judges.

“We are now in their hands and all we can do is hope. We hope the judgement will go in our favour but of course we can’t guarantee this – we are fully aware that the reality is, this could happen.

“But we are determined to carry on the fight. We cannot accept the impact of this type of farm so close to Bridgnorth and our homes.

“If we lose the case we will continue to fight, we learnt a lot yesterday and everyone involved is determined to oppose this farm and any future applications for a farm this close to Bridgnorth. The smell and health impacts would be horrendous. We’re in the process of forward planning no matter the outcome of this appeal.”

Shropshire Council have been contacted for comment.