Pest control

We have concerns about the likely pest activity at the proposed development, as it is certain that the hen sheds will be very attractive to pests which pose a potential risk to public health.

It is not unusual that many farm buildings have pest problems, brought about by the nature of the business being attractive to pests, and the working environment generally making pest control not as straightforward as it could otherwise be. All pests have certain basic requirements; a source of food and water, relative lack of disturbance, a harbourage or nesting space, and a range of tolerance in heat and humidity. The problem with hen sheds is that they provide all these requirements within a relatively small area, and are therefore very attractive to pests.

Rodents - house mice and brown rats

House mice are indoor dwellers and unlikely to create a problem outside the sheds. On the other hand, rats are known to travel up to half a mile from their nests to source food, and therefore do present a potential threat to households in the vicinity of the sheds.

Insects - Lesser House flies, House flies, Carrion flies

Like rats, insects are potential vectors for diseases and house flies can travel comparatively long distances (1-2 miles). The conditions inside the sheds will favour the development of insect colonies, with eggs being laid on decaying matter and dung. However, in the warmer summer months, eggs will also be laid outdoors on hen droppings in the range areas, and this is more likely to impact on households living in the area.

If the proposal goes ahead then we hope that the applicant will be obliged to:

• assume responsibility for any rat problems at private dwellings within approximately half a mile of the development, and at no cost to the residents

• financially support the installation of fly screens and other insect control systems at properties affected by flies.