Plans for 200,000 bird broiler unit on farm

Paul RogersLocal Democracy Reporter
News imageGoogle A country lane, with a metal gate into a field on the right, and a large barn can be seen in the distanceGoogle
Access to the site in Whiston Cross where there could be a broiler unit housing up to 200,000 birds

A large broiler unit housing up to 200,000 chickens is being proposed for a Shropshire farm.

An application has been submitted to the council for an opinion on the scope and detail required in an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the scheme in Whiston Cross, off the A464 near Albrighton.

A report from the applicant's agent said the development would contribute to national objectives for greater self-sufficiency in poultry production.

The deadline to comment on the plans via the council's website is 27 January.

An EIA is designed to ensure that key environmental issues such as noise, ecology and traffic are covered early in the planning process.

Application documents said the proposed buildings would measure 140m by 20m, and the site had been chosen due to its distance from neighbouring properties, taking into consideration local listed buildings and scheduled monuments.

Lighting would be kept to a minimum, the site would be landscaped to help mitigate any adverse visual impact, and manure generated on site would be stored and processed as fuel, they added.

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