A councillor has been slapped with a planning enforcement notice and ordered to knock down a chicken farm he built without permission.

On October 9, Chorleywood South Ward parish councillor Jack Biel was issued the order by Buckinghamshire Council.

The Latimer Road farm, in Longchamps, also known as Gracie’s Field, will now need to be taken down, a decision Cllr Biel intends to appeal.

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In the enforcement notice, the council said that chicken manure from the site has the potential to cause ammonia pollution to the river Chess and an ancient woodland at Conet Wood which are “recognised as being amongst the most threatened habitats that require conservation action”.

The notice continued that the site aesthetically harms the “tranquil and rural” Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has “serious potential” to negatively affect the environment.

Watford Observer: Buckinghamshire Council enforcement noticeBuckinghamshire Council enforcement notice (Image: Buckinghamshire Council)

The development was also found to “lead to danger” for road users due to “intensification of use of an existing access at a point where visibility is substandard”.

The council, therefore, denied permission despite the development already having taken place, meaning “two egg production units, two feed silos, an area of hardstanding” must be removed and access be reinstated within four months unless an appeal is lodged.

Cllr Biel said he intends to appeal the decisions and disprove that any damage was caused to the River Chess, the surrounding woodland, and the environment.

Watford Observer: Rive Chess Association Rive Chess Association (Image: Rive Chess Association)

He added that he was “surprised” by the refusal notice, having replicated another egg farm in Maidenhead which was regarded as temporary, therefore, not requiring planning permission, and he was unaware of a “72-year-old” poultry farming regulation until it was built.

The councillor said: “Everything I have done at Latimer was done on the basis that I was expecting the same positive response that was received in Maidenhead.”

Claims the footpath was blocked were disputed and he said the council had incorrectly thought the national speed limit was in place in the highway rather than 40mph.

Cllr Biel claimed he had been the victim of “extremely upsetting” abuse over the issue and added local councillors refused to visit the site to see the benefits.

He offered to show the farm to anyone with questions.

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