Locals Oppose Factory Farm’s Proposal to Expand to Two Million Chickens In River Wye Catchment
28 May 2026
Local residents are organising against the expansion plans of an intensive poultry unit (IPU) in Chepstow, Monmouthshire.
The proposal to build more intensive poultry sheds in Shirenewton would bring the total number of birds raised each year at Coombe Farm to almost two million.
The extra 240,000 birds a year would add yet more stress to the River Wye, which last week became the first river in the UK to be given the right to be free from pollution from source to sea. [1]
Residents came together to discuss plans to stop the expansion.
Martyn Ford, a concerned local resident, commented:
“Factory farming is cruel to animals, damaging for the environment, and harmful to our health. Extending the intensive chicken farm at Shirenewton would make an already dismal situation considerably worse.
“Having spoken to many people in the area, I am encouraged that there is so much opposition. I urge those who have not already done so to register a formal objection and contact their local councillor.”
Water pollution from chicken waste has devastated the River Wye as chicken production has increased along its catchment. Currently, there are about 24 million chickens being raised in the catchment area. Due to chicken waste running into the river, the Wye regularly turns green in the summer. [2]
Wildlife has diminished dramatically in the Wye. For example, in the 1960s around 50,000 Atlantic salmon would pass through its waters each year – today it is closer to 3,000. [3]
Communities Against Factory Farming (CAFF) is supporting residents to oppose the application. The organisation has helped communities block and overturn multiple intensive poultry unit (IPU) applications elsewhere in the UK when councils overlooked key environmental and animal‑welfare issues.
Jo Lazarus, Campaign Coordinator at CAFF, said:
“Allowing yet another intensive poultry unit to expand in Monmouthshire would push the Wye ever closer to the brink.
“These plans should be subject to a full Environmental Impact Assessment. It is deeply irresponsible to consider adding a quarter of a million birds to a system already in such dire straits; at some point we have to turn the tide back against the growth of this harmful industry.”
Other objections raised by local residents include increased HGV traffic, noise and odours.
The proposed application site is within two kilometres of 105 ancient woodland parcels, yet no ecological assessment has been provided of the consequences of ammonia and nitrogen deposition on the ancient woodlands. [4]
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Notes to Editors
[1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czx21820rn4o
[2] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqxl5rjw58po
[4] https://planningonline.monmouthshire.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=T5IMV7KYKVO00, MCC Biodiversity comment: Chapter 8