More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
The planning application from egg firm Fridays seeking permission to build three huge chicken sheds and to create a free-range chicken farm at Chainhurst near Marden has been validated my Maidstone council.
The details can now be viewed on the council's website under application number 20/505751.
The address is given as Reed Court Farm, Hunton Road, Marden, although Fridays has ambitions to change the name to the Wealden Wood Free Range Farm if planning permission is granted.
The scheme will accommodate up to 192, 000 birds.
Objectors to the scheme have raised concerns about the proximity of the site to the River Beult, suggesting that nitrates and phosphates from the chickens' manure will be washed down into the water course.
They also point out that part of the site frequently floods.
In its design and access statement, the company's agents DHA, say: "The northern, part of the eastern and the southern part of the site lies within a combination of Flood Zones 2 and 3 as a result of the proximity to the River Beult."
The report says: "The central part of the site remains in Flood Zone 1.
"While buildings used for agriculture are classified as less vulnerable in flood risk terms, the proposed layout ensures in any event that the buildings themselves would be located in Flood Zone 1.
"Fridays would then be able to continue to manage the farm even at times of flood as stores of grain are kept on site within the silos attached to each building and tractors could be used to access the farm."
DHA said: "The proposed surface water drainage strategy (clean water from building roofs) will be designed to mimic the natural drainage catchment of the site and will incorporate a range of sustainable drainage system techniques including attenuation basins before ultimately discharging in the River Beult.
"The discharge rate will be limited at, or below, the existing greenfield run-off rates agreed with Kent County Council (KCC) as the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA), up to and including the critical 1-in-100-year rainfall plus 20% allowance for climate change."
"In order to accommodate this, a series of attenuation basins will be constructed fitted with hydrobrakes to control discharge rates to the existing
greenfield run off rates.
"Any dirty water arising from the cleaning of the buildings would be collected and transported from site for appropriate disposal.
"The proposed development is a form of development which is less vulnerable to flooding, but the proposed layout takes account in any event of the potential for flooding arising in the area."
The application is now "live" and the public can access the website to raise objections or leave messages of support.
