Residents get in a flap over plans for poultry farm with 74,000 hens

Residents get in a flap over plans for poultry farm with 74,000 hens

29 March 2017

NEWRY, Mourne and Down Council’s Planning Committee meets today to discuss a recommendation to approve a controversial poultry plant in the heart of the Ballynahinch countryside.

Local politicians, who are members of the committee, meet in Newry where they will be asked to approve a proposal for two large poultry sheds capable of housing 74,000 hens at the Magherahamlet Road. The development proposal includes plans for four feeding bins, two gas tanks and office and changing accommodation.

Over a year ago, a proposal to construct four large poultry sheds capable of housing 150,000 hens at the same site was withdrawn and amended plans were subsequently submitted for a scaled down version.

Planners have received 20 letters objecting to the proposal and a petition containing over 80 signatures. Ahead of today’s meeting, they say that having studied the application in detail and do not believe the proposed development will have a detrimental impact on the amenity of residential dwellings or cause a detrimental change to the rural character of the area.

Alliance councillors Patrick Brown and Andrew McMurray say they are opposed to the poultry plant which they fear could have a “devastating impact on the local community and environment.”

Councillor Brown said he hopes members of the local authority’s Planning Committee will carefully consider the application at today’s meeting.

“I first spoke out against this application in April last year on the grounds that its scale and the nature of the development was unsuitable in this rural area of outstanding natural beauty,” he explained.

“Originally, the proposal was for four sheds which would contain 148,000 chickens. That application was classified as a major development and was heavily opposed by the local community. It was then withdrawn and a new application to house 74,000 chickens was submitted. Due to the smaller scale of this application, it is subject to less scrutiny and public consultation than the larger development.”

Councillor Brown said he is concerned the smaller proposal is one half of the original proposal for the Magherahamlet Road site and that there could yet be a further application for another development of this size, with planning precedent for development in this area already established.

He added: “I would like to add my voice to local residents who are fully opposed to this level of development in the countryside. It is absurd that a development of this size can go ahead when so many applications for small rural dwellings are refused by planners.”

Councillor McMurray described the concerns expressed by those opposed to the poultry plant as “valid,” explaining they will have to live and adjust accordingly should the development be given the go ahead. 

“I have no doubt that my fellow councillors on the Planning Committee will take residents’ concerns into consideration when making their final decision. Would it not be more prudent to place these proposed sheds alongside the applicant’s existing poultry units on the Ballymacarn Road and therefore contain the operation to one distinct area?” he asked.

Councillor McMurray added: “There is also a concern among residents that if this application goes ahead, will it be the final development of this type in this location? Residents are fearful this may only be the start and, given original plans, the possibility that this site could double in size would be a major concern.”