Developer assures residents it will '˜put aside' plans to build poultry farm on outskirts of Melton if its alternative housing scheme is approved

Earlier this year Agrinvest won a planning appeal and as a result was granted planning permission to house around 270,000 broiler chicken in seven sheds on land east of Sandy Lane, between Melton and Burton Lazars.

Its appeal was lodged after Melton Council refused planning permission as councillors felt the development was too big and that the smell coming from it would spoil the quality of life for neighbouring residents. Many residents also protested against the chicken farm plans, claiming it would emit noxious smells, would pollute water sources and increase HGV traffic in the area.

Since Agrinvest won its appeal its sister company, Springbourne Homes, has submitted an outline planning application to build 30 homes at the site - an alternative scheme which the companies say would ‘bring more benefits for Melton economically, environmentally an aesthetically’.

Adrian Burr, director of Agrinvest and Springbourne Homes, said: “Work on the erection of the commercial chicken broiler farm can start almost immediately, however we’ve put these plans on hold for the time being.

“As a responsible and considerate company we’ve listened to comments from the local community regarding their concerns about the poultry farm. We’ve subsequently re-examined this brownfield site and our options for it and have now submitted a new planning application for a residential development of 30 new homes offering a mixture of three, four and five bedroom houses and bungalows.

“This is now a matter for the local community and council to discuss and decide. They’ve both been clear in telling us what they don’t want. Now they have the opportunity to actively do something about it by supporting our alternative proposal for the residential development of the site.

“It’s a straightforward decision to be made between the construction of a poultry farm or new homes on the site.

“I can categorically state that we’ll go ahead with the residential development if the council approve our new application when it’s considered next month. Clearly this would mean Agrinvest’s already approved plans for the poultry farm would be put aside and the residential development would be built in its place.”

Springbourne Homes’ planning application is set to be discussed and decided by Melton Council’s planning committee on June 16.