Villagers oppose broiler units

More than 80 residents have objected to proposals to build three new poultry units on a farm near Ross-on-Wye.

Applicant David Pursey, son of former county NFU chairman Liz Pursey, wants to build the additional units at Trevase Farm in St Owen’s Cross.

The existing poultry site has been in operation for more than 20 years and currently consists of four units.

Consultants working on the plans say the scheme has been submitted to meet the demand from Avara Foods’ Hereford plant.

And the extra units would result in a maximum of 260,000 birds housed at the site per cycle.

The proposal also includes an amenity building, eight feed bins, concrete yard, and a new access track.

Llanwarne and District Group Parish Council representatives said they did not support or object to the plans but have raised concerns over noise, environmental pollution, extra traffic, increased poultry farming in South Herefordshire and visibility.

Council clerk Kate Hughes said: “There was a joint agreement amongst parishioners and the parish council that the applicants from Trevase Farm are tidy and considerate farmers within the community.”

However, she said the impact to the wider parish community needed to be considered.

Henry Legge, who has lived in the area for 25 years, said it was the first time he had ever objected to an agricultural development.

“Herefordshire has now reached poultry max and I do not think anyone is arguing that the sheds themselves provide a lot of employment.”

He said new poultry units should built in locations with good transport links, away from other houses and in places where they have minimal visual impact on the countryside.

Herefordshire Council planners are expected to consider and determine the proposals by December 18.