AN organic farm for 12,000 free range hens in a village location has been given approval to be built a year after plans for a training centre were refused.

The application on Cherry Tree Farm, Beacon Hill, Sadberge, will include a small farmstead comprising poultry houses, a timber workshop and a static caravan.

As well as the hens, there will be ten sows and seven cows on the land. Extensive tree planting will also take place.

Last June, landowner John Littlefair had his plans for an agricultural training centre at the site refused because it was felt the development would detract from the countryside.

Local residents and the parish council, who had objected to the initial plans, maintained concerns about the new site.

They were worried about the noise and smell of the hens, and that they would attract vermin.

The plans have been approved by the borough council's planning committee.

Parish council chairman Millie Scaife told the meeting that residents had concerns about people living on the land, and any workers should be housed in Sadberge or nearby Great Burdon.

But John Lavender, agent on behalf of applicant T M Darling & Son, the trading name for Mr Littlefair, said: "There is no other agenda behind this application."

A number of conditions were added by councillors to ensure residents concerns were addressed, including removal of non-native trees and vehicles and limit the use of the buildings.