Penkridge £6m chicken farm backed by councillors despite 4,000-strong opposition

South Staffordshire Council's planning committee approved the proposal for eight battery sheds off Cannock Road in Penkridge.

All but one member voted in favour of the controversial scheme, from Pillaton Foods, despite opposition from around 4,000 residents who had petitioned against it.

Concerns centred around the potential smell and noise, as well as traffic with on average seven lorries coming and going a day and up to 15 at peaks times of the year.

Animal welfare issues were also raised by those opposing the scheme.

The development will house 482,000 birds, with 60,250 stored in each shed, which will measure 124.97 metres (410ft) by 24.68 metres (80ft), and will be 5.9 metres (19.3ft) tall.

Speaking on behalf of residents, Sharon Woollaston, from Pillaton, said: "Chickens are sentient beings and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect not to spend their short life in crowded sheds before being sent to be slaughtered."

Planning agent Ian Pick, speaking on behalf of farmer and applicant Richard Corbett, said it was a 'similar scale' operation to one in Gailey Lea Lane that was given consent last year.

He said it had been 'without problems' since it came into use.

Mr Pick added: "We have followed due process through the development of this.

"We have discussed it with officers of the council and the Environment Agency and we are now in a position where we have a recommendation of approval."

Councillor Len Bates, who represents Penkridge, said residents' concerns did not 'accord' with his 'personal view' and moved that the proposal be accepted.

He said: "I went along to the one at Gailey Lea Lane and I have to say it was state-of-the-art and I was most impressed in the way the chickens were housed.

"We have not got a planning reason to refuse this application."

Only Councillor Nigel Caine, of the Perton ward, voted against the plans. More than 20 members of the public attended the meeting, with one branding the committee's decision to approve it 'disgusting'.

Mrs Woollaston said: "Everybody is really disappointed. I was very surprised."