Fight against chicken farm near Bridgnorth to continue
The fight against an intensive chicken farm near Bridgnorth that won High Court backing is far from over, says an action group which is "considering its options" to appeal the judgement.
Farmer, Matthew Bower of Tasley, plans 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.
Shropshire Council granted planning permission for the scheme last year, but that came under challenge at London's High Court due to concerns by residents.
The Tasley Chicken Factory Farm 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 on the residents of Bridgnorth”.
But Judge Rhodri Price Lewis QC ruled there was nothing unlawful about the council's decision.
Now, the action group says it is looking to appeal the decision.
On its online crowd justice page, which it used to raise funding to cover legal costs, a new post says: "As far as the legal battle goes, the latest judgment may have gone against us, but contrary to common belief, the battle is far from over as we are now considering our options to appeal the judgment."
The group thanked its supporters and added: "We knew from the outset that we had a mountain to climb and that we had to prepare for every eventuality."
The post says that the group has long-term actions planned in case the chicken farm is built.
It says: "We will keep pushing for air quality monitoring.
"We will log and report all violations of the planning permission and environmental permit, including dust, stench, noise, and traffic.
"We will join forces with animal welfare organisations to fight for the welfare of the chickens imprisoned inside.
"We will become a centre of competence to provide guidance on how to complain to Shropshire Council and the Environment Agency, and follow through on those complaints.
"Throughout Shropshire there are many others fighting similar travesties and we will join forces with them to continue this fight."
The farm will produce up to 210,000 broiler chickens from chicks in each 48-day cycle, before sheds are cleaned out ready for the next flock.
Protesters had expressed concerns over smell, dust and potential health implications it could cause.
The High Court judge said muck spreading off site would be subject to controls imposed by an Environment Agency permit and Mr Bower had entered into a binding agreement with the council concerning the management and spreading of chicken manure.
Hugh Richards, for the council, earlier told the court manure would be removed in sheeted lorries and used as "sustainable fertiliser on agricultural land".
Odours would be "localised and short-lived", particularly if manure was swiftly ploughed in, he added.
