Craig Tracey MP, Cllr Margaret Bell and Cllr Denise Clews spoke at an Appeal Hearing to voice their opposition to a proposed chicken broiler in Mancetter.
Local Conservatives running North Warwickshire Borough Council originally rejected the planning application for a large (40,000) bird broiler, a control room, feed silos, heat exchanger, hard-standing and attenuation pond.
However, Reading Agricultural Consultants, who submitted the plan appealed the rejection, leading to another hearing.
Local Member of Parliament Craig Tracey attended the meeting to speak out against the proposal, and gave the opening address on residents’ concerns.
The MP said:
‘The National Planning Policy Framework states that the planning system should recognise: ‘the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside, and support, ‘thriving rural communities within it’. The proposed development would have a negative visual impact on the local area. It threatens to bring bad odours and flies into the surrounding area. Furthermore the development is far too close to residential plots, there are two houses just across the road and Mancetter and Hartshill are within 400 metres of the site.’
Mr Tracey also praised the work of the local action group, the Parish Council and residents in the fight against the Broiler.
North Warwickshire Conservatives have objected to the plans since they were first published.
Cllr Denise Clews, representing Mancetter and Atherstone South spoke at length on the impact of the community and the strong feeling amongst residents. Cllr Clews also accompanied the planning inspector to the site.
Cllr Margaret Bell who represents Hartshill spoke on the issues of health that the Broiler could bring, she commented:
“There are existing health issues in the area which will be exasperated by the broiler if it goes through. North Warwickshire Borough Council took the decision to defend our case for rejecting the application first time around because of our convictions on this issue and the strength of feeling in the community. We have done everything we can to stop the Broiler.”
The Independent Planning Inspector will now take time to make a decision following the hearing, with residents and local Conservatives hoping the decision to reject the broiler is upheld.