A controversial bid to open a chicken farm in rural Perthshire has won crucial backing from planning officers.
German firm Lohmann Tierzurcht – the world’s largest poultry breeder – wants to transform woodland at Tullybelton, on the edge of Perth.
A planning application has been lodged by a UK subsidiary of the company to build three units for about 43,500 birds.
However, the project faces opposition from locals.
Auchtergaven Community Council has objected, claiming the smell could hit nearby homes, including people living in Bankfoot.
Members also argue it will have a negative visual impact.
There have also been complaints from people living nearby, who say they were not notified about the development and only heard about it by chance, after the consultation deadline had passed.
Scott Massie, who manages the Tullybelton Estate, said there are major concerns about the impact on local roads and wildlife, including pine martens and deer.
However, Perth and Kinross Council planners have now given their backing to the proposal.
They are urging councillors to grant planning permission when the application goes before them at a development management meeting on Wednesday.
In a report to councillors, interim head of planning Nick Brian said the scheme would be acceptable, subject to planning conditions.
“Environmental Health have assessed the potential impact of the proposed development on residential properties in the area,” he said.
“Due to the distance – 400m to nearest dwelling – of this facility to residential properties they have few noise concerns and as a consequence it therefore it is considered to comply with policy on noise pollution.”
He said that odour from the farm would be controlled by SEPA.
Mr Brian added that Transport Scotland had no objection about farm traffic moving onto the A9.
“This development will create up to twelve direct employees and there will be a significant number of downstream economic opportunities associated in terms of the construction period and secondly jobs in haulage, veterinary science, agriculture and animal feed production,” he said.
“The impact of the proposal on the rural economy at this location is considered to be significantly positive.”
Agents from Lohmann Tierzucht say that there will be one or two feed truck deliveries each day, as well as two egg dispatch vehicles a week.
No one from the company was willing to comment, but a statement submitted to the local authority stated: “The benefits of the development would be substantial. There are no planning reasons why they cannot be secured now.”
