Barn for 26,000 chickens approved despite concerns

Plans for a new barn that would house more than 26,000 chickens have been approved, despite campaigners' concerns over animal welfare.

Braintree District Council granted GST Limited permission to build the facility at Hubbards Farm in Shalford Green, near Braintree, Essex, at a planning meeting on Tuesday.

Campaigners told councillors they feared the application amounted to "factory farming", warning of potential impacts on animal welfare and the surrounding community.

The application stated that the development would replace an existing building currently used to house 5,000 "premium" turkeys, but the proposed building would house 26,219 chickens "to the better welfare chicken standard".

The approval comes after the business was given a permit by the Environment Agency to accommodate 109,628 chickens at the farm, across two buildings.

The meeting was told that the planning process and environmental permit were separate.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Jo Lazarus, from Communities Against Factory Farming, said there were "serious animal welfare concerns".

She also highlighted the potential impact of bird droppings on local residents, adding: "For nearby residents these emissions release strong odours affecting everyday life and enjoyment of their homes."

She called it an "intensive poultry unit" and warned of "dangerous air pollutants", which she said would come from the farm.

William Grove Smith, a third-generation farmer at the site, insisted the development would "enhance bird welfare" and "reduce the risk of bird flu".

He told the meeting: "These objections appear to be suggesting we are setting up some huge industrial factory farm operation, which is highly upsetting, as we endeavour to produce food in a local sustainable way, within the whole farm framework."

He said the new building would mean the farm had the "best conditions" to grow the birds.

The business was contacted by the LDRS for further comment.

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