Chicken farm to be refused planning permission

Plans for a 32,000 bird chicken farm on the outskirts of Ruthin are set to be the shot down.
Members of Denbighshire’s planning committee, meeting on Wednesday will hear there is strong local opposition to the facility.
The plans for the farm on land at Bron Parc, Galltegfa will see the building of a new free range poultry unit and associated works to provide a 32,000 free range bird egg laying production unit.
The building is proposed to be 82m in length by 32m wide, with a ridge height of 6.67m, with a row of 10 vents projecting above the ridge height by 1m.
It will have a floor area of 2,624 square metres.
Ruthin Town Council wrote to the committee setting out its concerns.
It said: “Although members are mindful of the need to diversify in the agricultural industry, they are of the opinion that the size and scale of the proposed plans are too much for the site, and that the development would have an environmental impact on the surrounding area, with regards to likely pollution and bad odours. It would also add to the heavy traffic on the road from Ruthin to Clawddnewydd, especially the section from the mini roundabout to St. Mwrog’s Church which is already facing traffic issues.”
Over two dozen letters from members of the public objecting to the plans have also be received by planners.
Officers at the council have recommended that councillors vote against the plans.
A report to members of the committee said: “A large scale intensive poultry unit has the potential to release pollutants to air, land and water and to generate noise, odour and dust, and the submission does not satisfactorily demonstrate the proposals would not adversely impact on the health and amenity of occupants of residential dwellings in close proximity to the proposed building and ranging area, or in close proximity to the proposed land where manure from the facility would be spread in terms of odour, dust and air pollution, and does not adequately buffer out sources of private water supplies from spreading areas.
“The proposal is therefore considered likely to have adverse impacts on the neighbourhood, the environment and on health.”

By Shane Brennan – Local Democracy Reporter