Plans to build three poultry units on a farm near Ross-on-Wye have been objected by more than 80 local residnets.

The applicant, David Pursey, son of former county NFU chairman, Liz Pursey, wants to build the additional units at Trevase Farm in St Owen’s Cross. The existing poultry site, which currently consists of four units, has been in operation for more than 20 years.

Consultants working on the plans say the scheme has been submitted to meet the demand from Avara Foods’ Hereford plant. It is anticipated that the extra units would result in a maximum of 260,000 birds housed at the site per cycle.

The proposal also includes eight feed bins, a concrete yard, a new access track and an amenity building.

Llanwarne and District Group Parish Council representatives said they did not support or object to the plans but have raised concerns over noise, environmental pollution, extra traffic, increased poultry farming in South Herefordshire and visibility.

Council clerk Kate Hughes said: “There was a joint agreement amongst parishioners and the parish council that the applicants from Trevase Farm are tidy and considerate farmers within the community.”

However, she said the impact to the wider parish community needed to be considered.

Henry Legge, who has lived in the area for 25 years, said it was the first time he had ever objected to an agricultural development. A further objection said that the ‘single track country roads are not suitable for such an increase in heavy goods vehicles, with very few places to pass’. Another questioned its viability, asking: “Surely the continued expansion and erection of factory units of this kind will destroy, irreversibly, the character and peace of surrounding areas.”

Herefordshire Council planners are expected to have reached a decision by Tuesday, December 18th. The planning application reference is P183198/F. To view or comment on the application, visit the Herefordshire Council website at: www.herefordshire.gov.uk.See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.