A proposed new poultry unit in Shropshire has had its planning permission quashed by the High Court, marking a legal victory for campaigners seeking to stop the development of new poultry farms.
The development, set to house around 200,000 chickens near the River Severn, had been approved by Shropshire Council in May 2024. But following a judicial review brought by Dr Alison Caffyn, supported by campaign group River Action, the Court has overturned the decision, citing critical flaws in the Council’s environmental assessment.
High Court judges ruled the Council failed to properly assess the cumulative impacts of the development, particularly in relation to nearby poultry units and the downstream effects of spreading digestate from manure, which can leach into rivers.
River Action welcomed the decision. “There are too many chickens in protected river catchments like the Severn,” said the group’s head of legal, Emma Dearnaley. “Our rivers are choking on chicken muck.”
While the NFU acknowledged the need to protect vulnerable habitats, Vice President Rachel Hallos welcomed the Court’s confirmation that thresholds remain a lawful part of environmental assessments. She warned that removing such tools could make planning overly burdensome for farmers.
While the Court found gaps in the Council’s assessment of manure sent to anaerobic digestors, it ruled that the planning conditions and the use of thresholds were lawful. Hallos noted the NFU’s financial support for the farmer involved and stressed the importance of a proportionate but effective planning system to help farmers meet evolving environmental and welfare standards.
The NFU committed to working with the Council to ensure future processes remain practical and legally sound.
Shropshire Council has not applied for permission to appeal.