Plans for new building to house 20,000 chickens

Plans have been lodged for a new building at a poultry farm which would house 20,000 chickens.

If the application to North Yorkshire Council by John Sleightholme is approved, the 50m (164ft) long unit would be built at Cansdale Farm in Hunmanby, near Filey.

The proposal aims to improve the space and welfare standards for the birds already at the farm and the total number of chickens would not increase.

According to the applicant, this would enable lower stocking densities to be achieved across all buildings in line with the requirements of the Better Chicken Commitment (BCC).

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said the BCC was the leading industry standard for broiler welfare, which the applicant was committed to.

The BCC requires suppliers to meet a maximum stocking density of 30kg/m² or less, which plans state is a "significant reduction from the current UK legal maximum" of 38kg/m².

It is alongside requirements for higher welfare breeds, improved environmental standards within the building, and enhanced lighting and enrichment provisions.

"The proposed new building will provide the extra floor area needed to accommodate the existing flock at the lower BCC stocking density, without increasing the total number of birds on site," Sleightholme Farms Ltd said.

Submitted plans state that the new building will be operated using high-velocity, ridge-mounted ventilation extraction fans and internal equipment will include indirect heating, pan feeders, and non-drip nipple drinkers.

A thermostatically controlled computer system will regulate temperature, ventilation, feeding, and lighting within the building.

The applicant added there would be no increase in ammonia emissions or odour from the site and there would be no increase in vehicle movements associated with the poultry enterprise.

North Yorkshire Council has not set a date for deciding on the scheme, which is open to representations.

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