Agenda item

DM/17/03546/FPA - Hurworth Burn Farm, Wingate

Proposed upgrade of existing poultry unit including the demolition of 12 existing poultry sheds and the erection of 4 poultry sheds.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Senior Planning Officer regarding an application for the proposed upgrading of an existing poultry unit including the demolition of 12 existing poultry sheds and the erection of 4 poultry sheds at Hurworth Burn Farm, Wingate (for copy see file of Minutes).

 

T Warren, agent for the applicant addressed the Committee.  The poultry industry was going through an intense period of investment in new and replacement facilities with increased demand for chicken.  A large number of poultry farms had come to the end of their operational life and therefore required investment and upgrading to bring them in line with modern environmental standards and best techniques for operation.

 

All large scale poultry units needed an environmental permit to operate and customers expected them to operate in line with best available techniques.  Therefore upgrade had become essential on older sites and this is the case with this site.

 

The UK imported roughly 40% of its poultry meat requirement, with some of the larger supermarkets importing chicken from Brazil and Thailand, particularly for sandwiches and ready meals, with meat imported frozen for onward processing.

 

The proposed site was well suited for a poultry unit, given its existing use as a poultry unit, and the fact it was away from residential areas.  The proposed upgrade would allow for modern buildings which met the current high environmental standards. 

 

The proposal was for significant investment by the owners of the site.  This would ensure its long term viability and protect and expand the current employment at the site.

 

Mr Warren asked the Committee to approve the application.

 

Councillor Wilkes referred to the proposed stocking density of 38kg/m2 and asked how many 42 day old broiler chickens this would relate to per square metre.  The Senior Planning Officer replied that he was unaware of this figure but the proposed facility met welfare standards.

 

Councillor A Bell asked who regulated the density of livestock.  The Senior Planning Officer replied that the facility had an environmental permit and would be regulated by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

 

Mr Warren advised that the chickens had a 60 day life cycle and later on in the cycle would be placed in a different unit.  He also added that the Company would not go against health and safety requirements.

 

Councillor Jewell considered the proposed facility to be an improvement on what currently existed and moved approval of the application.

 

Councillor Richardson informed the Committee that he could see no issues with the application and seconded approval.

 

Councillor Clare considered that the facility would strengthen the local economy adding that welfare concerns were to be dealt with in a different forum.

 

Councillor Wilkes informed the Committee that he would abstain from voting on the application on the grounds of animal welfare.

 

Upon a vote being taken it was

 

Resolved:

That the application be approved subject to the Conditions contained in the report.

Supporting documents: