New Suffolk Poultry Units

Obtaining permission for a new broiler unit on a Greenfield site is not easy. Whilst an Environmental Impact Assessment could be seen as just another document to provide, it can also be a positive tool in the planning process.

This was exactly what happened in two separate cases in Suffolk.

In the first case, the landowner was new to the poultry industry and had a totally Greenfield site. Whilst a planning application was only pursued for two sheds initially housing approximately 80,000 birds, the Environmental Statement was prepared for six sheds, the ultimate vision for the site.

In the second case the farm was already involved in the industry but had a number of older sheds which needed replacing. A nearby dwelling was a critical issue. However, the Environmental Statement showed that the more modern, albeit larger sheds, had a lower risk especially in terms of odours. This Environmental Statement was a critical point leading to eventual approval of the scheme.