Developers halve scale of Sedgeford poultry farm project

Developers have halved the scale of a proposed poultry farm project, after an earlier planning application met with fierce opposition.

Proposals to build eight poultry barns, accommodating around 360,000 birds in total, at Whin Close, near Sedgeford in west Norfolk, were withdrawn earlier in the year.

Newcome-Baker Farms has now lodged a new application with West Norfolk Council for just four barns on the land, and a spokesman said it had addressed the concerns raised at a consultation event at Sedgeford village hall last month.

William Barber, managing director at Newcome-Baker Farms, said: 'We have consulted and looked very carefully at people's concerns and are confident that this development will have a minimal impact on our neighbours.

'Arable farms in Norfolk need to diversify to continue to be sustainable and this will make a positive contribution to the local economy.'

Interested parties that registered for more information at the consultation and councillors will receive a statement from the company, outlining its proposed development.

The company claims the site, which will be screened from all residential properties, will not have an impact on the landscape, and the potential for nuisance smells will be reduced.

A company spokesman said: 'The development will allow the business to remain sustainable by moving a small part of screened land away from arable production.

'The company understands people's desire to only see arable production in this quarter of England, however, arable farms facing a collapse in cereal and sugar prices must diversify into other areas to guarantee a long-term future.'

No-one from the group, No to Poultry Factory Action Group, which was set up in opposition to the proposals, was available for comment yesterday.