CONCERNS have been raised over plans to home 20,500 chickens in Norton Lindsey.
The parish council is meeting to discuss the proposal for two poultry sheds to house egg-laying hens at the Littleworth Farm off Warwick Road.
The two existing sheds proposed for use were last in operation in 2002 for meat poultry until deemed no longer profitable against the expense of welfare inspections.
The applicant – who owns halal abattoir Farmgate Fresh Poultry in Hatton – has since submitted a string of applications and appeals to reinstate the sheds but has so far been refused for reasons including the site’s greenbelt location.
The latest application proposes to demolish the current sheds and build new ones in their place to house up to 20,500 chickens, as well as a house for on-site staff.
Villagers have raised a number of fears including the welfare of the birds, smell and an increase in lorries along country roads.
The site is near the New Inn pub – known as Warwickshire’s first ‘community-owned pub’ – which villagers fear will be affected by the smell from the sheds.
A resident said: “This will have a detrimental effect on events run by the pub – who will want to attend with the smell of ammonia in the air?”
But an ‘odour report’ concluded the effects would be ‘negligible’.
The parish council will meet to discuss the plans in the church room at Holy Trinity on Monday (August 12) at 8pm.
Comments on the application can be made to Warwick District Council until Monday August 19.
Littleworth Farm at Norton Lindsey could soon be home to 20,500 chickens. 32.019.004.leam.jm2