PROTESTERS gathered for what they called a show of solidarity against plans for a £1.2 million egg production unit near York.

The group is among those opposing a scheme for a laying building for 32,000 hens in Wheldrake, which should be approved by City of York Council, according to a planning officer's report.

Members of the council's planning committee will vote on the controversial application for land west of Hagg Wood Farm, Broad Highway on Thursday (April 21).

Wheldrake resident, Angie Roberts, said: "We are protesting on many levels but mostly because all the heavy traffic for this chicken farm will have to go through our village with its narrow roads.

"The roads are totally unsuitable for HGVs as they will be making a difficult 90 degree turn at the school then passing through a residential area with houses, parked cars and all the amenities available in the village for our children.

"This will put young children at risk and curtail their freedom.

"We are very concerned that this is more industry than agriculture and that it will establish a precedent.

"The prevailing wind will bring pollution and odour right across the village.

"There are too many "unknowns" about this proposal.

"Once it is passed we are stuck with it and then the precedent is set across the whole of York.

"Other chicken farms of this type have been refused locally, so why is this one different?"

Another protester, Mark Taylor, said: "Worryingly, a number of heavy construction lorries have been seen dumping piles of aggregate close to the site today.

"Speculation suggests work in some form has already commenced, even before planning permission has been granted."

The plan was described as a "legalised form of battery farming" on an online petition signed by more than 1,600 people.

The council has also received 120 letters and a petition with 1,360 names objecting to the proposal.

That petition is understood to have been separate from the online one.

Ian Pick, of Ian Pick Associates, the agent for applicant Christopher Hobson, said: "The applicant has taken delivery of some stone in order to repair the existing farm track.

"The main reason for the repairs to the farm track is that the planning committee need to visit the site on Tuesday to have a look at the application site and the track in its current state is impassible for vehicles.

"The work is being done purely to facilitate access for the planning committee."

Mr Pick added: "I note that the villagers are undertaking a protest which is their right.

"The applicant has submitted a planning application to develop a barn egg unit on his farm as a farm diversification initiative.

"The proposed barn unit is very modern shed with proven technology to ensure that the operation does not impact on neighbour amenity and air quality.

"The site is 1.2km as the crow flies from Wheldrake and approximately 400m from the closest neighbour.

"We have worked with the council in order to address issues raised and the local planning authority are satisfied that the proposal is acceptable in planning policy terms.

"A lot of the opposition relates to the access route along Broad Highway which is single track.

"I would point out that the majority of farms in the countryside are served by single track roads and operate without issue.

"This is just the nature of the countryside.

"The proposal is a low traffic generating use, and we have agreed the provision of passing places on Broad Highway as improvements."