A controversial bid to open a pedigree chicken breeding farm on the edge of Perth has been approved — despite outcry from neighbours and a stark health warning from Scotland’s former chief medical officer.
The £6 million project at woodland in Tullybelton was tabled by German firm Lohmann Tierzurcht, the world’s biggest poultry breeders.
The company said the development, near Bankfoot, could bring “substantial” benefits to the area and stressed that new technology would limit odour problems.
But the scheme faces a fierce backlash from people living close the site. Objectors pleaded with members of Perth and Kinross Council’s development management committee on Wednesday to throw out or delay the scheme.
Among the opponents was Sir David Carter, who was the Queen’s surgeon in Scotland and regularly advised the government on public health issues.
He said that the chicken farm could put residents at risk from serious lung conditions.
SNP MSP John Swinney also called for the scheme to be deferred, after concerns from objectors that they had not been properly consulted.
However, councillors voted seven-five in favour of the scheme. Committee convener Tom Gray dismissed the row as a “non-event” and said he had heard no complaints about a similar operation which was set up near his home.
Objector Ian Massie, who owns the Tullybelton Estate, said he only heard about the plans “by accident” four weeks ago.
“We face a future of continuous noise, light and emissions,” he said.
“At the moment, this site is a haven for wildlife and protected species.”
Mr Massie said there was not enough information available to support the bid.
“If a decision is made without the correct information and data, then we are undermining confidence in the planning process for all those who will be affected,” he said.
Sir David Carter, who was Scotland’s chief medical officer for four years, told the the committee he had been principal adviser to the government on public health issues.
The 76-year-old said: “My main concern about this development is the danger to people living as close as 400 metres
“I have specific concerns about the threat of developing what is known as extrensic allergic alveolitis — this is a group of inflamatory lung conditions, caused by exposure to antigen containing dust.
“This is not a trivial condition,” he said, explaining it could lead to various conditions including chronic bronchitis and “potentially fatal respiratory disability.”
Solicitor Andrew Wood, who spoke on behalf of the developers, said: “There are a number of farms in this area and they are known for not causing issues. Many of these are within residential communities.”
Councillor John Kellas’ motion to defer making a decision — he felt there was “insufficient information” available — was defeated at the vote.
Mr Gray said: “This is a non-event in an isolated, rural area. I have no hesitation with moving this paper.”
Farm backed despite MSP’s intervention
Perthshire North MSP John Swinney had urged councillors to defer making a decision on the poultry farm after concerns that residents were not properly consulted.
The deputy first minister was briefed on concerns about the application when he met objectors at a recent surgery.
In an unusual move, Mr Swinney wrote to the council’s head of planning and explained that none of the residents he spoke to were notified about the proposal, despite living within 1-2km of the site.
“This is due to the fact that the adjoining land within the scope of the neighbour notification is all owned by those on whose land the proposed development will take place,” he wrote.
“It appears that this approach may satisfy the letter of the planning process, but I do not believe it satisfies the spirit of the process.”
The letter, which was passed to all committee members, went on: “In light of the significant issues in relation to the consultation process, I believe there is a strong case for this application to be deferred.”
However, planning chief Nick Brian told the meeting: “We are satisfied that the appropriate notification process has been undertaken.”
Speaking after the talks, objector Scott Massie, who manages the Tullybelton estate, said: “We are just appalled. It had been going so well, until the convener (Tom Gray) began speaking about another farm in a completely different area.
“This just glosses over all of the points we were raising about this specific application.”
The farm will have three poultry units for around 43,500 birds. The committee heard that all manure would be dried, stored in a shed and regularly emptied.
Agent Andrew Wood admitted there would be “some smell” during the drying process. He said: “You can’t farm any kind of livestock without some kind of smell.”
