Decision details

This was an outline application for the erection of 2no. barn egg laying units (24,000 birds per unit) including all associated works at Ellerdine Grange Farm, Ellerdine, Telford, Shropshire, TF6 6QR.

The Application was before Planning Committee at the request of Ercall Magna Parish Council.

Councillor Kevin Connor, Ercall Magna Parish Council, did not object to the application in principle but in relation to the units and the local and impact on neighbouring properties and businesses.  He was grateful that many of the issues raised could be managed by conditions, the S106 Agreement and highway mitigation measures and was aware that further work to finalise details of passing places needed to be undertaken.  He raised concerns regarding pollution, the geography and topography in the locality of Ellerdine lakes due to the ground saturation and surface run off to the sites below.  Flash flooding could take place at any time and one spill or leak would have an impact on the wildlife and flora and fauna of the area.

Mr R Corbett, Applicant’s Agent, spoke in support of the application which was of a well designed and stable form which helped to tackle climate change and it was on the top 100 list for investments into the UK.  No objections from consultees had been received and DEFRA supported the proposals and it delivered against their targets for health, welfare and wider sustainability and innovation which maximised food production and reduced carbon emissions.  The units were dry cleaned rather than power washed every 14 months.  Highway improvements would benefit local residents and visitors to the fishing pools and in relation to drainage the S106 agreement would set out conditions in relation to the foul surface drainage.

The Planning Officer informed Members that the drainage would be dealt with by conditions and this was normal practice.  The washdown process would be via a dry process every 70 weeks whereby litter would be blown into another part of the building.  The shed was air conditioned and cleaned the ammonia from the air and removed odours and particles.  The dry manure was put into sheeted containers within the buildings which was different than broiler chickens for meat.  The dry litter would be sent to the burner unit owned by the applicant for the wider sustainability as it created electric and heat which was used on the farm in Wem.  This improved the carbon neutrality of the overall system as the bottom ash was used as a fertiliser with nothing being wasted.   In respect of the Parish Council’s concerns in relation to the tank washdown process, the tanks would not contain water.  Where there is moisture content this would be sterilised before new chickens enter and there would be no contamination as this would be dealt with by the soakaways in the field.

During the debate, some Members felt that this was an innovative project and as the cleaning process and contamination had been addressed it was an exciting development on balance.  It was an innovative design with solar panels which should be encouraged on large scale industrial units with natural lighting and outdoor areas for the birds.  Officers had given reassurance on the risk of pollution.  A question arose on how many jobs the application would create.  It was also asked how close the outdoor area for the birds was to the lakes and what percentage chance of the lakes being affected by contamination.

The Planning Officer confirmed that the application would create 1 full time and 3 part time jobs.  In relation to the cleansing of the outdoor area, this would be conditioned and there would be no pollution when the area was cleaned.

On being put to the vote it was, unanimously:

RESOLVED: that delegated authority be granted to the Development Management Service Delivery Manager to grant planning permission (with the authority to finalise any matter including conditions, legal agreement terms, or any later variations) subject to the following:

a)    the applicant/landowners entering into a Section 106 agreement with the Local Planning Authority (item i. subject to indexation from the date of committee), with terms to be agreed by the Development Management Service Delivery Manager, relating to:

i)             £17,000 towards implementation of advisory and directional traffic signing along the unnamed road leading north towards Hazles Road, Hazles Road and the A442,

ii)            a Routing Plan to secure that all Heavy Good Vehicle movements associated with the site shall be routed via the unnamed road leading north towards Hazles Road, Hazles Road and the A442 (and vice versa),

iii)          S106 Monitoring Fee of £250.00; and

b)   the conditions and informatives (with authority to finalise conditions and reasons for approval to be delegated to Development Management Service Delivery Manager) set out in the report.