The local planning fuss I mentioned recently about broiler sheds is rumbling on. I’ve been keeping half an eye on Herefordshire Council’s Planning website, and there have been over 600 comments from members of the public, approximately 95% of which are objecting to the development. Interestingly, one of the local big landowners wrote a letter of support – I wonder whether he has aspirations to diversify into intensive chicken production too?
Earlier this week however, the application was withdrawn by the agent, apparently in response to some pretty damning objections from English Heritage and the Malvern Hills AONB. Both organisations objected strongly to the situation of a large-scale development in the foothills of British Camp hill fort, slap bang in the middle of an AONB. However, they didn’t say a definitive “No, not under any circumstances ever”. It was more a case of the application having inadequate screening, and being far too visible from the hills. The implication was that the organisations would be less implacably opposed to the development if it were less obtrusive visually.
So now we have to wait and see whether a new application is submitted that is visually more in sympathy with the surroundings. That of course would not have any impact on the noise, smell, pollution, potential flooding and traffic problems that the locals are also worried about.
It does make me all the more determined to make an effort to eat free range chicken! Not only does it taste better, but I don’t want to increase the demand for huge broiler sheds on either my doorstep or anyone else’s!
