Egg laying unit at Hatherton

The growing market for free range eggs has prompted another application to erect a poultry unit in the area.

Plans have been lodged to double the size of a unit near Hatherton to house 7,000 egg laying birds.

It follows the recent approval for plans to erect two giant sheds near Broomhall to house 32,000 birds.

The latest scheme to extend the existing free range egg laying unit at The Beeches, Audlem Road, Hatherton was put on hold after a downturn in the market in 2010.

A much improved market has prompted the applicant to try again with a new application after the original one ran out of time.

A report to Cheshire East Council say: "A free range egg production system is an extensive and welfare friendly form of egg production and is a growing market in the UK."

In poultry terms, a 7,000 bird unit is small as regulations allow units of 40,000 to 50,000 birds and strict health and waste protocols will be put in place to meet strict regulations.

"Problems are not allowed to occur on these units as any droppings or taint found on the eggs will lead to the whole batch of production being rejected at the packing station, at considerable financial loss to the producer," adds the report.

Access will be via the existing field entrance off Audlem Road but the applicant does not forecast much extra traffic as the extended unit, if approved, will produce 39,200 eggs per week and one egg collection lorry can carry 278,000 eggs.

But the application may run into problems over its position. The council's Public Rights of Way team claims the development could affect Public Footpath No. 1 Hatherton, as recorded on the Definitive Map of Public Rights of Way and prior consent will be needed before work can go ahead.

The application has yet to be determined by a planning officer under delegated authority.

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