Plans for new £2.2 million 64,000-bird poultry unit

Applicants Tony Heal of Heal Eggs, want to build the poultry unit for egg production at Coolmoor Farm, Hazels Road, Shawbury.

Mr Heal currently runs a large scale agricultural business within the Shawbury area.

This business includes 4,700 acres of agricultural land, together with a large scale poultry enterprise which extends to 264,000 free range laying hens, 64,000 pullet rearing places, and 122,000 colony hens.

The existing business employs 40 full time workers and bosses say the new development will require three new full time workers on site.

In a document submitted to Shropshire Council’s planning department it states: "The applicants propose the expansion of the existing free range egg production business through the development of an additional building for free range egg production at Coolmoor Farm, Hazels Road, Shawbury which will house a further 64,000 free range laying hens.

"The proposed development involves a substantial investment in buildings and infrastructure by the applicants amounting to £2.2 million.

"This includes groundworks and concrete, buildings, and internal equipment fitting. The proposed development will offer substantial initial cash injection into the rural economy through the construction phase.

"The application site forms part of the same parcel of land as the applicants Hazels Farm free range egg laying unit which extends to 64,000 free range laying hens.

"The site falls under the control of the Environment Agency under the IPPC permitting regime.

"The applicants are currently in the process of varying the IPPC permit to take account of the additional free range egg unit.

"The building is subdivided into four bird housing sections, together with a central area for egg packing and storage.

"The bird housing areas include a multi-tier system, which includes rows of tiered perches, which are situated over manure belts.

"Pop holes are situated in the north and south elevations of the building. These pop holes are automatically operated and open at 8am and close at dusk.

"The pop holes provide the birds with free access to the external ranging area during daylight hours.

"The proposed building has a large footprint, but is relatively low. The application site is essentially level, and the wider landscape is bounded by well managed hedgerow and isolated blocks of woodland."

The proposed development includes building a new poultry building, four feed bins, hard standing for parking and turning, and a new access track linking the development to the existing Coolmoor Farm access road.

People can comment on the plans via the Shropshire Council website.