Tasley Chicken Farm row: Fight against 210,000-bird plans will go on say campaigners

The 210,000 bird poultry farm at Footbridge Farm in Tasley, near Bridgnorth, was passed by Shropshire Council’s planning committee.

This came despite the Tasley Chicken Factory Farm Action Group staging a protest outside the site on the day the decision was made and more than 300 objections from the public.

Now protesters have insisted they are “not going to go away” and plan to take legal action and submit a judicial review into the decision.

Group member George Edwards, from Bridgnorth, said: “I have discovered since the meeting that the only viable avenue open for the public to challenge is to institute judicial review proceedings within six calender weeks of permission being granted.

“We have no choice now than to employ specialist lawyers and planning consultations immediately to stand any chance.

“The location of the site is itself going to be an ongoing risk to health and well-being.

“I can tell you for sure this is not going to go away, if it takes a judicial review so be it. I’m going to submit my findings and put my efforts and my money into the action group.”

The plans involve four poultry buildings, a gatehouse and a water tank.

Protesters have expressed concerns over smell, dust and potential health implications it could cause.

The planning committee voted seven to three in favour of the application – a decision that was met with cries of “shame on you” from the public.

Agent Ian Pick, who spoke on behalf of the applicant at Tuesday’s meeting, said the plans met relevant criteria.

He added that a similar development in Ludlow was the same distance away from houses and had no objections when it was expanded.