Plans submitted for 150,000 hen factory

Plans submitted for 150,000 hen factory

30 May 2018

A FORMAL planning application has been lodged to double the size of a poultry plant in Seaforde which would be capable of housing almost 150,000 hens.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council planners are being asked to approve a proposal to provide two additional poultry houses at the Seaforde Road site, each of which has a capacity for 37,000 hens.

There are currently two poultry houses at the site which can accommodate a total of 74,000 hens with the planning application seeking approval to double this to four houses and provide an additional three feeding bins.

Earlier this year, residents were given an opportunity to outline their concerns about the proposal during an event at the village’s Young Farmers’ Hall when they met with a representative from the Clyde Shanks planning consultancy and development organisation. 

The meeting was part of a community consultation process which must take place ahead of the formal planning application being submitted.

Among the concerns highlighted by residents were the scale of the proposed development, the impact of the smell from the plant and the implications this has for property values in the area. Concern was also expressed about operating hours and potential damage heavy lorries would cause to grass verges and road surfaces.

During the community consultation meeting, a representative for Clyde Shanks explained comments made by residents would feature in the pre-application community consultation report.

This document has to be submitted alongside the formal planning application which was formally advertised last week.