POULTRY firm Avara Foods, which has a factory in Hereford, has revealed that it wants a bigger hatchery for chicks.

The company, which says it is one of the UK's biggest food businesses, wants to build an extension at its hatchery in Shobdon.

Applying to Herefordshire Council for planning permission, consultants Sam Harrison of Ian Pick Associates, said the extension, measuring 30.25 by 5.3 metres, was "modest".

He said the existing hatchery in Shobdon Court Road, was not proposing any expansion or intensification of its operations.

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He said Avara Foods, which also has a processing site in Red Barn Drive, just wanted space to upgrade machinery and increase overall efficiency.

"The hatchery at Shobdon provides freshly hatched chicks which are then transported to more than 100 local farms for rearing," he said.

"He added that the 7.152-metre high extension would be to the rear (north) of the existing building, and it would allow space for the new machinery.

The building, if given the go-ahead, would be made of a steel frame, with polyester-coated steel profile sheet cladding, finished in juniper green.

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Mr Harrison said it would not be visible from any public vantage points, nor would it be "visible or intrusive" on the adjacent Grade I-listed St John's Church.

"The works would generally be viewed as a modest and unobtrusive expansion of an existing fully operational commercial site.

"The development is considered to be of an appropriate scale and design."

Comments on application 221654 can be made until June 23, with planners setting July 21 as a target date for a decision.