RESIDENTS, anglers and rural campaigners have failed in their bid to prevent a chicken farming unit being built in a village near Darlington.

Members of Darlington Borough Council's planning applications committee yesterday granted permission for a third poultry broiler house at Manor Farm, Low Dinsdale, near Darlington.

The decision was made despite a number of objections being made to the scheme.

The broiler house, which will be used to breed and accommodate thousands of chickens, will measure 210ft by 82ft and be constructed of a polyester-coated steel cladding.

Committee members were told that among the objectors was the Middlesbrough Angling Club, which was concerned about possible river pollution through the spread of waste.

The Ramblers Association and the Council for the Protection of Rural England, also voiced their concerns about the application, as did local farmer and lecturer Dr Paul Weightman.

He told the committee that the boiler house would be a "biological timebomb" in a picturesque area.

Planning permission was granted subject to no additional objections being received by the end of a statutory consultation period.