A council planner is recommending approval of a 90,000-bird poultry production unit near Dunning despite objectors’ fears about odour and noise problems.
The application for the development at Duncrub Farm near Dunning will be considered by councillors on Wednesday.
Representations have been lodged with the council raising a number of concerns, including an unacceptable increase in the number and nature of vehicle movements through Dunning and safety concerns due to the increase of vehicles coming on to the A9.
Objectors also claim there has been an inadequate assessment of potential odour and air pollution problems and they are worried about any adverse effects on health and animal welfare.
“Mains of Duncrub Farm is located 1.5km to the north of the village of Dunning outside of any settlement boundary,” says Nick Brian, development quality manager in a report to the development control committee.
“Vehicular access to the farm is taken from the B9141, A9 to Dunning road, by way of an existing farm track. The farmhouse and steading range are located in an elevated position and comprise a mix of modern and traditional farm buildings, some of which are used for livestock housing and farm storage, and some of which are presently utilised by a building prefabricating business.
“The farm is presently a mixed arable and livestock unit and runs to 125 acres. Farming practice on the holding is proposed to be diversified through the establishment of an intensive broiler operation of 90,000 birds.
“Two new poultry units are proposed, measuring 108m by 22m, and would be aligned west-east, parallel to the existing modern farm sheds on the northern side of the group.”
In addition 8m-high feed silos would be positioned between the buildings.
The problem of noise and odour would be tackled with extraction fans and the nearest “sensitive dwelling” lies more than 400m from the development which is deemed acceptable by Scottish Government guidelines, according to planning officers.
Some night working will be required which could cause potential disturbance to near neighbours.
Weighing up the different issues Mr Brian concludes that the development would be acceptable and recommends approval to the committee.
It is clear the intention is to support agriculture as a major land use in the plan area, he says.
“The proposal for the new farm enterprise at Mains of Duncrub would accord with this broad objective provided that environmental and landscape issues are satisfactorily addressed,” Mr Brian added.
“Through the use of planning conditions the proposal could secure a satisfactory landscape fit, could have an acceptable relationship to nearby residential properties and would not adversely affect the local transport network.”