Planners refuse permission for poultry unit close to ‘precious’ chalk stream

Planners have turned down an application for a poultry unit housing up to 32,000 egg-laying hens in the floodplain of a “precious” chalk stream.

Campaigners and local groups welcomed the decision by West Berkshire Council to reject the application for the new building that would house free-range chickens, over concerns it would harm the River Kennet.