Egg producer Fridays is to hold a public exhibition of its plans to create another free-range egg farm in the Weald.

The company is looking to create a new site at Pullens Farm off Lamberhurst Road, at Horsmonden, to accommodate 64,000 hens across 32 hectares of land.

It has already submitted a planning application to Tunbridge Wells council, which recently approved permission for three similar poultry houses at Combwell Farm, near Flimwell.

Fridays said the poultry house would be designed to high environmental standards and would be RSPCA accredited, and no bigger than those just approved.

Fridays’ production director Andrew Watts said: “This proposal is in response to the growing UK demand for free-range eggs, which is increasing by 5% per year.

“There is a need for us as a local business to meet this demand and reduce the importation of eggs into the UK.”

The scheme would involve the construction of a new access onto Lamberhurst Road, but the company said that in a typical week, the farm would require only seven lorry visits to operate, all of which would use the A21 to the south.

Mr Watts said: “The proposal would ensure the continued use of agricultural land for food production, within a visually contained site and will operate under the highest environmental standards.”

The modern-style poultry sheds reduce the issue of the smell of chicken manure by removing it automatically by conveyor every week.

The proposals also include plans to plant 9,800 native trees and shrubs to help screen the buildings.

The application has already been considered by Horsmonden Parish Council at a meeting that was attended by 85 members of the public. The council decided to object to the scheme after hearing of fears of smell, increased traffic and noise, and that the site was in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

If the plan is approved the 57,630 sq ft poultry house would employ two full-time and four part-time members of staff and the farm would be expected to produce 403,000 eggs a week.

The exhibition will be in Horsmonden Village Hall in Back Lane on Wednesday, July 29, from noon to 8pm. Fridays staff will be on hand to answer any queries.

Fridays is one of the five biggest egg producers in the UK. It already has 12 farms in Kent plus its egg-packing and distribution plant at Chequer Tree Farm in Cranbrook. It employs 270 people.

Further details can be viewed on the council’s website. Planning application number 15/503392 refers.