Plans for a free-range poultry shed, which will accommodate 28,000 egg-laying hens 100 metres south-east of 67 Drumahean Road, Middletown, have been given the go-ahead by ABC Planning officers.
Planning permission has also been granted for four feed bins and associated site works.
The planning application was lodged by Henry Marshall Brown Architectural Partnership, Cookstown, on behalf of Marcus McCall, 67 Drumahean Road, Middletown.
Planning officers commented in their report: “The poultry shed, including egg sorting area, egg store, and store, will have an overall floor area of 3031.0125 m2 (32.75metres x 92.55 metres) and ridge height of 8 metres from ground level.
“The construction of this poultry shed represents a major economic investment for the applicant, which is essential for the long-term survival of the existing holding.
“The current business is a medium-sized livestock farm which is becoming less viable over time, due to an ever-changing economic climate and a growing family.
“An intensive agriculture development of this nature will support the farm income, and ensure its long-term survival. Officers consider that the justification put forward is sufficient.
“The form, scale, massing, finishes and overall appearance of the proposed development is similar to that of other poultry shed developments which have been approved in the council area.
“The poultry shed is proposed to be sited set back from the Drumahean Road, approximately 30 metres at its closest and approximately 75 metres at its furthest.
“Officers are of the opinion that the character and scale of the proposed development is appropriate to its location.
“The applicant has demonstrated a sustainable outlet for the poultry litter generated by the proposal. Natural Environment Division (NED) also notes the applicant’s intention to export poultry litter to Scotland.”
As the closest third-party dwelling is located only 185 metres away, Planning officers decided to tighten up planning conditions to reduce the impact of the operation in terms of noise and emissions.
They stated: “The council’s Environmental Health Department (EHD) have considered an updated Air Quality Impact Assessment. Poultry litter will be removed once weekly via a manure belt and transported directly off site. There will be no provision to store poultry litter on site.
“The number of birds has been reduced from 32,000 to 28,000 free-range layer birds, [and there will be] a low-protein diet for the birds to reduce emissions.
“The revised proposed emission rate per bird (kg/year) for ammonia is reduced from 0.061 to 0.054. The predicted concentration per building for the total odour emission rate, and total ammonia emission rate, are also reduced from the previous report.
“The emission rates for each stack [in] the revised report predicts these to be lower than what is given in the previous report.
“The farm boundary maps verify that there are no other suitable buildings on the holding in which to house 28,000 free-range egg-laying hens.
The poultry shed, including egg sorting area, egg store, and store, will have an overall floor area of 3031.0125 m2. Credit: ABC Planning portal
“The site layout plan shows a proposed access from the Drumahean Road utilised for access to the site. The applicant has also provided details of haul route, detailing eight existing passing areas along the Killyfaddy Road.
“DfI Roads advise that they have no objection to the proposals and the ability of the road network to handle any extra vehicular traffic, subject to the development [of] passing bays, to ensure that there is a satisfactory means of access to the site and in-curtilage parking, in the interests of road safety and the convenience of road users.”
A separate planning application for the provision of three passing bays close to No 67, No 72 and No 78, Drumahean Road, was also approved.
They are to be stoned and surfaced to DfI Roads satisfaction, and are to be formed in existing grass verge, with the carriageway to be increased to a minimum of 5.5 metres.
