MAJOR plans to build a free range egg farm in Lower Peover have been approved with supporters saying ‘farmland is not a museum’.

Cheshire East Council’s planning committee gave the green light for the proposal to build a £360,000 unit for 12,000 pullets on land close to Ullard Hall Lane last Wednesday.

The decision was made in the face of strong opposition from residents who live within 800m of the development in Smithy Green.

But councillors decided that Ben Wharfe’s application should be supported to keep the farming community alive.

The 31-year-old grew up at Whitehouse Farm in Plumley and attended Knutsford High School.

Clr Sybil Crossman, chairman of Plumley with Toft and Bexton Parish Council, said: “This is a good close farming family with an impeccable reputation in farming life.

“We are aware that farmers are encouraged to diversify. Farmland is not a museum and there is a consumer desire for free range goods.”

Gerald Coates, who has lived in Plumley Moor Road for 30 years, added: “I consider the applicant to be a family man setting up an enterprise for his family.

“I believe over time they will make a positive contribution to community life.”

Mr Wharfe expects to make a return on his investment of £45,839 but opponents fear the business will fail because of falling egg prices.

Clr Les Halman, chairman of Lower Peover Parish Council, said: “This application has caused a lot of concern to residents with 150 signing a petition and 18 letters of objection.

“The parish council feels in the present climate any financial forecasts are speculative.”

Steve Wade, representing the residents of Smithy Green, spoke of the ‘bleak future’ for the egg trade and said that Mr Wharfe could make a loss of up to £45,000 in the first year.

He added: “The applicant is a new producer with no experience of large–scale egg production.

“With this in mind, a failed business would leave a scar on the landscape.”

But Mr Coates said: “What a depressing and negative way to look at the future. I don’t want to see empty lifeless fields.

“They deserve the opportunity and can be trusted to take every step to mitigate any negative impact.”

Other concerns raised were that the farm’s eight extractor fans would spread odour and dust particles and with a ridge height of 5.75m it would be an eyesore on the green belt.

But Mr Wharfe said the existing landscape features along with 1,500 trees that will be planted would mask the unit.

He also said the farm’s ‘modern design’ and ‘correct management’ would prevent odours and germs from spreading.

It also emerged that if the business is not a success and fails within 10 years the unit would be demolished.

Clr Jim Crockatt, who has a background in farming, said: “The countryside should be there for farmers to generate food.

“I’ve heard nonsense about falling egg prices but I’m not worried.

“Here we have someone who is enterprising in Cheshire which is known for its agriculture.

“Let’s give this man and his family all the support we can to get on with this.”

BEN Wharfe, who grew up at Whitehouse Farm in Plumley, told the Guardian he is absolutely delighted that his plans to build an egg farm have been approved.

He said: “I feel very humbled by the generous support from members of the local community.

“Their belief and all our work was vindicated by the councillors voting nine to one in favour of the application.

“My wife and I would like to thank all those who have supported us and been involved with the success of the application.

“We are planning to start tree and hedge planting in the new year and will begin construction once ground conditions are dry enough.

“We are absolutely determined to ensure that we will fulfil our promises that the development will have a positive effect on the local environment. “We are also looking forward to playing an active role in the local community."