CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a giant hen house on a hillside won council backing yesterday, despite objections from local people.

The unit at Kirby Sigston, near Northallerton, will be more than five metres high, 18 metres wide and nearly 120 metres long.

It will eventually house about 16,000 free range birds, which will have 16 hectares of land to wander across.

However, after yesterday's vote, disappointed neighbours warned they will consider lodging an appeal.

One, Bob Burden, said: "This is an extremely large development. If put in Northallerton High Street, it would stretch from the post office to Zetland Street."

Objections to the development ranged from the potential spread of disease - biosecurity - to the impact on the countryside, which is designated as a special landscape area.

They also included drainage fears, concerns over inadequate water supply, potential noise, light and air pollution and traffic generation.

The applicant, farmer David Clark - who lost stock during the foot-and-mouth epidemic - told councillors: "I wish to develop this unit to enable me and my family to remain in agriculture.

"We need this new venture to secure a more profitable future for ourselves and our son.

"Disease is not a planning issue and with good management it won't be a problem. I have dealt with disease risk throughout my career. All stock will be vaccinated."

Members of Hambleton's development control committee were told there would be an electric fence around the development to keep the birds in and predators out.

Planning officials insisted the siting and design of the holding would not be detrimental to the countryside and there would be no impact on highway safety.

And with no right to a view under planning law, they claimed the development would not be to the detriment of neighbours.

Planning director Steve Quartermain said: "It is considered that there is economic benefit in terms of business generation and a social benefit in terms of allowing the son of the applicant to continue farming."