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Plans for a free range egg farm which would have housed 112,000 birds have been rejected by Cornwall Council planners.

A planning application for the construction of four buildings which would house the chickens at Nancegollan, near Helston , along with feed bins, hardstanding and access went before Cornwall Council’s strategic planning committee today (February 15).

Council planning officers had recommended that approval be granted to applicant Greville Richards, of Richland Foods Ltd, for the development but councillors voted unanimously to refuse planning permission.

They highlighted concerns which had been raised by many local residents and parish councils about the impact the egg farm would have on the landscape as well as people living nearby.

A petition had been handed in by the Nancegollan Action Group ahead of the meeting headed “Stop the free range egg farce” which had been signed by more than 20,000 people.

The petition stated: “The cost of production and the greed of profit has made this multi-tier unit very popular amongst the egg farmers, it’s high rise living for the free range hen. Planning constraints have been overcome by means of going up instead of out, less floor space.

“The reduced labour requirements along with the net gain in profit will see an increase in the amount of planning applications for these types of unit. Before we know what’s happened, our countryside will be peppered with large industrial manure factories polluting the environment and ruining the lives of many who have chosen to work, set up a family home and contribute to a decent country life.”

Committee member Councillor Andrew Long disputed claims that the planned farm would not have any impact suggesting that the applicants should “try sitting outside one on a hot summer’s day”.

Mr Long, who proposed that the application be refused, said: “This is not farming, this is a factory.”

Councillor Chris Batters seconded the refusal motion saying: “The residents of this particular area will suffer if this application is approved.”

Three of the sheds would have housed 32,000 hens in tiers while the fourth has 16,000 birds. The company said it would create 10 jobs . The application was first lodged in June with Cornwall Council and has had 84 comments – 12 in favour and 72 against.

The applicant said the new farm would be “good for Cornish farming” and said the demand for free range eggs was growing.

They said the farm would be regulated under Environment Agency permits and argued that the environmental impact would be kept to a minimum.

However, councillors did not agree and voted unanimously to refuse planning permission for the farm.