CAMPAIGNERS are urging residents of Sutton Veny and Longbridge Deverill to object to a chicken farm being built in the area before it’s too late.

Plans for the farm on Longbridge Deverill Road were deferred by Wiltshire Council in 2012 because of opposition from locals, including a 400-name petition and 140 letters of objection.

Anyone wishing to object to the new plans has until Thursday, (July 16) before they are taken before Wiltshire Council at the end of the year.

Co-founder and chairman of campaign group Spitting Feathers, William Owen, said: “There are a number of problems we see with a chicken factory being built here one of which is noise, not from the chickens, but from the machinery which will produce a high level of noise for 24 hours.

“The only time I’m told these were stopped from the previous farm was when the chickens were let out every six weeks to be slaughtered and they cleared the buildings out, which is another problem.

“That stench, it was so strong and unbearable for people. There are community allotments next to where it is supposed to be built and people are concerned about the emissions as well, which we see as on an industrial scale.”

The original plans would have had space to rear just under 2.5million chicks, which has since been reduced to 179,000 on a 4,000 sq m farm.

It would be managed by Birmingham-based 2 Sisters Foods, owner of multi-brand conglomerate Northern Foods.

A spokesman for 2 Sisters Foods said: “This location was the site for a poultry business about 10 years ago and our application, if granted, would be a substantial improvement on the original operation.

“We’ve already met strict environmental standards and have been granted a permit from the Environment Agency, and have adjusted our plans following local neighbourhood impact assessments and expert advice from other parties.”

“The structure won’t be much bigger, will meet the stricter environmental standards, will produce less odour and incorporates the latest design principles, minimising its impact on the local community.

“We have spent considerable time and cost to ensure we comply with all aspects of planning law in the right and proper way, which of course will be the key determining factor on whether the scheme can go ahead.”

Anyone wishing to comment on the application can do so at http://planning.wiltshire.gov.uk/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/PLComments.aspx?pk=836143