Two free-range chicken buildings at Kenton Hall Debenham Road, Kenton, Stowmarket

The site and surroundings

The 5.85-hectare countryside site forms part of a 200-hectare working estate, is accessed by existing tracks and lies in the Hartismere Water Resource Zone.

“The site is in the countryside, extends 5.85 hectares and is comprised of agricultural land within the parish of Kenton. The site forms part of the Kenton Hall Estate, an operational farming business made up of 200 hectares of agricultural land. 182 hectares are arable cropping used to produce wheat, barley, borage and beans. The estate also has a small cattle enterprise but currently no chickens.”

“The site itself has small pockets of land at risk of surface water flooding but is primarily at a very low risk of surface water flooding. There are high risk areas along the boundaries of the site coinciding with existing ditches around the site. The site is otherwise located within Flood Zone 1 (very low fluvial flood risk) and is at a very low risk of other forms of flooding (groundwater, reservoir and foul).”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier decisions concerned a straw-storage barn, an environmental impact screening opinion, wedding and charity events, and a grain store.

“REF: DC/24/04624 Request for formal Screening Opinion under Regulation 6 of The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England) Regulations 2017 for Erection of 2 No. agricultural buildings for free range chicken production with associated infrastructure DECISION: EAN 31.10.2024”

“REF: 1179/07 Use of land for siting of Marquee for holding wedding receptions and occasional charity events, the maximum total events per year not to exceed 8, plus use of land in association for car parking and siting Portaloo. DECISION: GTD 22.06.2007”

Officer report

Why officers recommended approval

Officers considered the proposal acceptable overall because diversification and food-production benefits outweighed limited heritage, water and public-right-of-way harm, subject to conditions.

“A very low level of less than substantial harm is identified to Grade II listed Kenton Hall. The harm identified to the designated heritage asset, with great weight attached to it, would however be outweighed by public benefits when engaging the test set out under paragraph 215 of the NPPF, specifically in relation to wider economic benefits of farm diversification and the future of the farming operations on site, which in turn has potential heritage benefits in…”

“The site falls within the Hartismere Water Resource Zone where water resources are under serious stress. The applicant has demonstrated that the proposal would not result in significant harm and in any event the applicant could abstract 20,000 litres a day via a private borehole without this development under the Environment Agency’s own rules.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Most statutory consultees raised no objection, while conditions were sought for drainage, archaeology, ecology, landscaping, noise, odour, pests and lighting.

“An earlier objection by Kenton Parish Council was made on the 22/11/2024 as follows: Object on the basis of 1) a more suitable location could have been found 2) information on odour generated by development is unreliable, 3) noise assessment is thorough but fails to account for climate change and the need for additional fans to run in future, 4) dust being expelled from extractors, 5) lighting, 6) transport, 7) existing flooding issues at the junction between Eye Road and…”

“Environmental Protection (Noise/Odour/Light/Smoke)- comments received – 05/09/2025 No objection subject to conditions on 1) manure management, 2) pest prevention and management, 3) construction hours, 4) external lighting, 5) post validation sound check, 5) ongoing noise levels restricted.”

Officer report

What people said

Forty representations comprised 36 objections and four supporting comments, with objections focused on noise, wildlife, odour, landscape, pollution, traffic, water and residential amenity.

“At the time of writing this report 40 letters/emails/online comments have been received. It is the officer opinion that this represents 36 objections and 4 support comments. It should be noted that one supporting and one objecting letter were received from people out of district.”

“Objection comments summarised as follows: • Noise (32) • Affects local wildlife/ ecology (32) • Smells-odour (28) • Landscape impact (26) • Increase in pollution (23) • Experience of and wildlife along historic Carnser footpath will be ruined (20) • Location chosen closest to housing, other locations exist (19) • Loss of outlook (18) • Out of character with the area (17) • Trees (17) • Light pollution (15) • Increased traffic/ highway issues (15) • Loss of open space (14) •…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard from a parish meeting representative, two objectors, a supporter, the applicant and the ward member.

Members’ debate

Members discussed environmental impacts, mitigation, bird numbers, pollution, diversification, traffic, water use, objections, site location and a possible community liaison scheme.

“Members debated the application on issues including; the potential odour and noise pollution, the type of farming taking place and the proposed mitigating factors to prevent environmental harm, the restrictions on the number of birds on site, the location of the buildings within the site, the potential accumulative pollution from any surrounding sites, the introduction of a community liaison scheme.”

“Members continued to debate the application on issues including: the applicants previous record of responsible farming, the need for diversification, the increase in vehicle movements, the level of water consumption, the objections received, and the location of the site.”

Minutes

The vote

A proposal to approve the application with additional conditions was supported by five members, opposed by one, with one abstention.

“Councillor Elkin proposed that the application be approved as detailed in the Officer recommendation and with additional conditions relating to a community liaison group, advanced planting of trees, the number of birds, and an amendment to the condition relating to water extraction metering.”

“Councillor Hardingham seconded the proposal.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

Members granted planning permission with the recommended conditions and informatives, adding controls for bird numbers, community liaison, advance planting and water-extraction metering.

“That Members GRANT planning permission subject to the following conditions and informatives and any others as may be deemed necessary by the Chief Planning Officer:”

“Management Plan • Submission of Biodiversity Enhancement Layout • Submission of a Wildlife Sensitive Lighting Scheme • Installation of solar panels • Free range birds restrict number to 39,998 • Community liaison scheme to be agreed • Advance planting • Amendment to condition for evidence on extraction metering submitted to LPA”

Minutes