CONTENTIOUS plans to build a giant poultry farm in the Malvern Hills district had to be put on hold as the highways representative was taken to hospital before the meeting.
A total of four broiler rearing buildings, which would include about 188,000 birds, could be built at Sallings Farm, Middle Common in Bockleton if councillors give the go-ahead.
The plans were recommended for approval by district council planners, but members of the Northern Area Development Committee felt the decision could not take place without the officer from Herefordshire Highways being present at the meeting last Wednesday (June 3).
Coun Tony Penn, councillor for the area, said: “It is the highways issues that are somewhat fundamental to this application.
“It is not fair to go on discussing this application without the officer to get some answers and there are a lot of questions to be made.
“What is critical is we want the meeting as soon as possible but it has to be with the proper representative here to answer some very serious questions.”
Coun Phil Grove, also councillor for the area, wished the officer a speedy recovery.
“It is vital we make the right discussions and cross-examine and ask the questions of Herefordshire Highways,” Coun Grove added.
“I support the deferral, I think it is the right thing for us to do as a council because we need to make the right discussion on this as a council as it has become a very contentious issue as we know.”
Committee members unanimously voted to defer the application. It is the second time it has been put back.
