THE government must act on planning loopholes that allow "industrial" chicken farms in open countryside, says

Mid Worcestershire MP Sir Peter Luff.

He is speaking up following a packed public meeting this week in Upton Snodsbury, where up to four separate chicken units are proposed, each producing hundreds of thousands of chicken a year.

Two applications are already being considered by the Environment Agency and Wychavon District Council, which last week voted unanimously to reject the first one.

In a letter to Liz Truss, secretary of state for Defra, and to Brandon Lewis, minister of state for planning, Sir Peter says government policy needs to be addressed urgently.

He said: “No other industrial activity, except possibly intensive pig production, would be allowed on these sites. It is simply wrong to categorise intensive chicken farming as agriculture and to exempt it from the full rigour of the planning system.

"I am amazed to learn that there is no control whatsoever over the disposal of the chicken manure generated. My constituents live in fear of the huge quantities of the manure being spread over neighbouring farms. Regulations must be brought forward quickly to properly control the disposal of chicken manure.”

Sir Peter said: “I hope the ministers understand the deep concern of residents in Upton Snodsbury and the surrounding villages. These intensive chicken units should not count as agricultural farming. I will do all I can to protect residents from these very unwelcome applications.”