MP pleased after chicken farm and abattoir application rejected

Cllr Ray Bisby and Shailesh Vara near the site of the planned farm

Mr Vara, the MP for North West Cambridgeshire, was contacted by a number of constituents voicing their concerns about the proposals.

This included a potential increase in heavy vehicle movements, noise pollution and contamination of nearby properties with waste from the operation.

The farm would have been built at Kings Delph Drove and would be able to hold about 100,000 chickens at any time.

The new development was planned to be built a short distance from Cardea - and a petition against the proposals received more than 1,000 signatures.

Mr Vara worked with local Peterborough city councillors Ray Bisby, Chris Harper and Brian Rush in objecting to the proposals which were felt to be inappropriate for the area.

Following news that the application was rejected, Mr Vara said: “This was absolutely the right decision and I am very pleased that Huntingdonshire District Council has taken the sensible course of action.

“There was rightly much concern amongst the communities in South Stanground and Farcet with this contentious application uniting residents in a common cause.

“Credit is due to Cllrs Ray Bisby, Chris Harper and Brian Rush who also very effectively opposed the application and helped to ensure that it was rejected.

“I hope that residents will be reassured by the council’s decision.”

Cllr Bisby, one of the three Conservative councillors for the Stanground South ward in Peterborough, added: “News that Huntingdonshire District Council have refused planning for a chicken farm and slaughter house has been applauded.

“Cllrs Ray Bisby, Chris Harper and Brian Rush led on opposing the application within their ward of Stanground South, Peterborough, and wish to thank all who put in their objections too.

“Issues raised included the area being a flood plain, health issues around poultry farming and infrastructure. We must ensure that any business enhances the area and does not detract from it.”