PLANS have been thrown out for an intensive poultry farm for 144,000 birds – which received thousands of objections from residents and animal rights charities.

The proposal to create the factory farm on land next to an airfield used by York Gliding Club at Rufforth, near York, were rejected by the City of York Council.

The plans provoked a storm of protest, with the council receiving 7,697 letters of objection and two letters of support.

At the authority’s planning meeting, aviation expert Mark Eddowes said the project posed a “significant risk” to the safety of glider aircraft, which use an established runway that points in the direction of the proposed buildings.

Mr Eddowes told councillors at a planning committee meeting on Thursday: “The applicants appear to me to be adopting quite an unrealistically optimistic view that all these potential new risks would be entirely mitigated.”

Paul Leeming, speaking on behalf of the applicant, said: “The applicant has made significant concessions by reducing the scale of the proposal by almost half. The proposal will provide a high-quality food source meeting all welfare and environmental standards operating under the Environment Agency’s environmental permit regime contributing to national food security and to economic growth by creating new jobs and protecting those already in the industry.”

Cllr Chris Steward, who spoke against the proposals, said: “I’d love to oppose it on the animal welfare grounds. For me the deal-breakers are quite clear - transport and the harm to the gliding club.”

Askham Richard Parish Council objected to the proposals on the grounds of the impact from HGVs on local residents while Rufforth with Knapton Parish Council also lodged concerns about potential nitrate pollution to surrounding farmland and noise and odour from the site.

York Outer MP Julian Sturdy also raised concerns on behalf of constituents about the safe use of Rufforth Airfield and heavy traffic.

Councillors voted unanimously against the development.

The news has been welcomed by national animal rights groups, Animal Aid and PETA, who both campaigned against the plans.

PETA submitted an e-petition containing 6,764 signatures objecting to the plans on grounds including the impact the proposed farm would have on nearby properties and the impact of proposed intensive husbandry methods on the health and welfare of farm animals.

Animal Aid director, Isobel Hutchinson, said more than 5,000 people objected to the plans through their website. She said they were “greatly encouraged” that the council rejected the application, adding: “We would like to thank the people of Rufforth and our supporters for demonstrating the strength of opposition to these plans.”