Plans to reinstate a poultry farm in Norton Lindsey look set to be given the green light despite the "grave concerns" of local residents.

More than 100 objections have been made to the Land at Ward Hill scheme, with MP Matt Western, and local councillors all opposing the proposals.

But Warwick District Council, which has rejected seven previous applications for the development of the site, said the plans should go ahead.

If approved, two "dilapidated" chicken runs will be demolished and replaced by two of a similar size.

A manager's bungalow will also be built and new vehicular access permitted.

The planning application, which was first submitted in June 2019, states: "The proposed redevelopment of two redundant poultry houses plus a manager's bungalow will have negligible landscape significance and negligible visual significance to relevant receptors, compared with the existing site condition and situation."

And district planners have agreed that the latest scheme is suitable.

"The business plan and supporting information has been assessed and the consultant is satisfied that the proposed development is acceptable and has been planned on a sound financial basis. The enterprise would require the presence of an on-site worker," a council report said.

Adding: "Officers are satisfied that the development has been designed specifically for agricultural purposes and therefore, the buildings are considered appropriate development within the green belt."

And: "The development will bring a redundant and visually poor site back into the previously established use with new, modern buildings that officers accept are utilitarian in design by nature of their proposed use.

"It is therefore proposed to mitigate the visual appearance through appropriate landscaping to offset the appearance of the buildings."

Objections

The latest scheme for the Norton Lindsey poultry farm has been met by fierce resistance from locals.

Norton Lindsey Parish Council objected to the plans due to the effect on the green belt, environmental impact from the smell and the increased traffic on local roads.

"NLPC has grave concerns with the environmental impact this proposal will have on the locality, particularly regarding odour (both during day-to-day operations and especially when the sheds are cleaned), dust in the atmosphere, increased vermin, noise from ventilation fans, etc," the objection said.

"We are unconvinced by the methodology and findings of an odour report that suggests minimal impact on houses that are less than 50 metres away."

And amongst the other 105 objections was district councillor Cllr Jan Matecki who said the reasons for rejecting the previous schemes still applied.

Whilst MP for Warwick and Leamington Mr Western highlighted a number of concerns raised by local residents.

"I have received a significant amount of concern from my constituents in the village of Norton Lindsey," he said.

"A high proportion of these people have lived in the village for many years and remember a similar enterprise being run on the site in the past.

"Although, obviously, this is a new application, they speak from first hand experience.

"Residents of Norton Lindsey have submitted some detailed and compelling objections to the application."

WDC's planning committee will discuss the application on Wednesday night.