PLANS are being made to replace a 50-year-old chicken farm and expand the operation.

The proposal to replace the poultry units at Hurworth Burn Farm, near Wingate, is part of attempts to increase the amount of chicken being produced in the UK.

A decision on the proposal to replace the existing sheds at the farm, on Hurworth Burn Road, is due to be made at a Durham County Council planning meeting next Tuesday, September 4.

Amber Real Estate Investments has made the application, which would increase the capacity for broiler chickens to 240,000 birds.

The existing broiler farm was built around 50 years ago and the 12 poultry sheds, which have a capacity for 165,000 birds, are now in poor repair.

A review of the facility, carried out last year, found it fell short of the minimum standards required.

The company wants to replace the 12 sheds with four units, which would have a capacity of 38kg per square metre, though the applicants say the unit may operate in line with the latest RSPCA freedom foods guidance of 30 kg/m2.

The operation of the site is based on a 42 day growing cycle and it would have around 6.5 cycles a year.

The birds farmed at the site would be processed at a factory in Scunthorpe, which is owned by Two Sisters Food Group, the operational arm of Amber Real Estates Investments.

A statement made on behalf of the company said: “There is an overriding requirement within the poultry industry to increase the amount of locally grown chicken.

“Currently approximately 70 per cent of the chicken processed in the UK is grown here, with the remaining 30 per cent being imported.

“This is clearly neither welfare or environmentally friendly, nor supporting of British agriculture.

“As retailers take corporate responsibility and introduce policies which reinforce their commitment to reduce carbon footprints/the distance the birds travel/energy use etc, then it is important to source more locally produced produce.”

Council planners have recommended the application is approved. A report, to be discussed by councillors next week, says: “The existing buildings are approximately 50 years old and need to be replaced to meet operational and welfare standards.

“The proposal would increase production from the site without significantly impacting on highway safety, landscape or residential amenity.”