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Plans for a huge factory farm for chickens in Rufforth, near York have been rejected by councillors.
The farm, which faced opposition from locals and animal campaigners, could have held up to 144,000 birds at any one time.
Thousands of people sent letters of objection to the plans, which were originally recommended for refusal back in 2016, then withdrawn before they could be formally rejected. The plans were later re-submitted, but significantly reduced in size.
The Planning Officer dealing with the application had recommended that it should be refused. This decision was confirmed at a Planning Committee meeting on August 16, where councillors voted to reject the proposal.
‘Greatly encouraged’
National animal rights group Animal Aid ran a vigorous campaign against the plans. Director, Isobel Hutchinson, said: “We are greatly encouraged that the council has rejected this disastrous application.
“It would have condemned thousands of chickens to a short life of utter misery. Whilst imprisoned in this vast factory farm, they would have been deprived of everything that made their lives worth living.
“We would like to thank the people of Rufforth and our supporters for demonstrating the strength of opposition to these plans.”
