Angus planners have recommended the go-ahead for two free-range chicken sheds near Forfar capable of housing more than 60,000 laying birds.
But councillors will be faced with more than 200 objections to the Craignathro Eggs scheme next week.
The sheds would be 110 metres long, 24 metres wide and each capable of holding 32,000 hens.
It would take the farm’s poultry capacity to almost 100,000 birds.
And planners say there are solid reasons to allow the expansion of the rural business.
But the recommendation will anger opponents who lodged more than 200 letters of objection.
They say there is no need for the expansion and fear its impact on the local area.
However, their hefty criticism of intensive farming practice has been dismissed as not being a material planning consideration.
Expansion of egg business
The new sheds are earmarked for land west of Easter Meathie Farm, around a mile south of Forfar.
The whole site extends to more than 40 hectares and lies just off the Lochlands to Lour road.
Craignathro already operates a 32,000-capacity shed built in a million-pound farm expansion around five years ago.
Last year councillors also gave the green light to a 6.5MW solar farm to power the growing business.
The planning recommendation says: “Subject to appropriate mitigation and planning conditions, the proposed development should not give rise to unacceptable environmental or amenity impacts.”
Those conditions include noise and odour management plans.
Planners add: “Some comment has been provided in relation to matters of animal welfare and cruelty and associated moral and ethical issues related to intensive livestock.
“However, matters related to animal husbandry and welfare are controlled by other legislation.
“Case law has determined that moral considerations arising from developments are not material planning considerations.”
“Obnoxious and repugnant”
Objectors flooded the council’s planning portal with opposition.
A Meathie Action website was set up to fight the scheme.
One opponent said: “There are far too many of these intensive poultry units being applied for, or already in operation in the area.
“These units are both noisy and more importantly a risk to the health and wellbeing of residents in the area.
“There are many pollutants which are released into the atmosphere.
“The aroma caused from them is both obnoxious and repugnant.
“I ask, why ruin our lovely countryside with these large industrial units, when the reason for deciding to live in this area would be to reside in a peaceful tranquil setting?”
Neighbouring Lour Farms also registered an objection.
It said: “It is our opinion that this development does not blend with the character and pattern of existing development.
“The scale is not appropriate, and it will not maintain or improve the quality of the environment or amenity.
“The area already hosts a similar but smaller unit of 32,000 birds just 2km from the proposed site to the west of Craignathro Farm which is under the same ownership.
“This new application would triple the capacity of this type of unit within this locality, and all the associated environmental effects and heavy traffic required.”
Angus development standards councillors will consider the application on Tuesday.
Conversation