Erection of 2 no. Additional broiler units on existing poultry site along with associated infrastructure.

The application was approved in accordance with the case officer’s recommendation.

(Proposed erection of 2 No. additional broiler units on existing poultry site along with associated infrastructure)

(Councillor J Hardwick was fulfilling the local ward member role and accordingly had no vote on this application)

The Acting Development Manager (ADM) gave a presentation on the officer report relating to the application and the update sheet including an additional representation and a further condition concerning the use of external lighting, as attached to these minutes.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking Mr I Morley, local resident, spoke in opposition to the application and Mr E Thomas, the applicant, spoke in support.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, the local ward member, Councillor J Hardwick, spoke on the application.

Councillor Hardwick made the following principal points:

·         Applications concerning poultry units were emotive;

·         Environmental issues had been addressed in the completion of the application. The peer review conducted on the application had found that the impacts of the site would be within acceptable limits;

·         The landscaping proposed on the development would soften the impact of the structure on the surrounding countryside;

·         The attenuation pond would cope with runoff from the site and assist in the alleviation of local flooding issues;

·         The odour caused by the production cycle was usual in rural areas and the operation proposed on the site was consistent with a rural county.

In the Committee’s discussion of the application the following principal points were made:

·         The condition of the farm yard was referred to which was felt to be well-maintained. In response the ADM confirmed that maintenance of the farmyard was not a material planning consideration and no weight should be attached to its condition during decision-making;

·         It was felt that the technical issues in the report had been addressed by the consultants employed to peer review the application. The technical reports commissioned and the lack of objection from statutory consultees limited the grounds on which the application could be refused;

·         Sympathy was expressed for local residents who would be affected by smells from the site. Concern was expressed regarding the potential impact of the site upon the respiratory health of local residents caused by ammonia emissions.

·         The prevailing wind from the south west would carry the odour of the site away from Dormington and local residential areas. The inconsistency in the outcomes of the odour modelling, which claimed a slight impact on local residents, and the representations from the local community, which stated a severe impact was raised.

·         A query was raised regarding the length of time required for the planting scheme proposed in the landscaping scheme to reach maturity;

·         The proposed colour of the roof was queried and whether a shade to match the colour of the crops surrounding the development would be more appropriate. The ADM confirmed that the applicant was required to promote a scheme that the local planning authority would approve;

·         The right of way across the farm yard was raised and the need to safeguard the footpath. The ADM confirmed that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 84