CONTROVERSIAL plans for a £2-million poultry farm at Stoke Climsland, which were recommended for approval by planning officers, have been rejected by Cornwall Council by eleven votes to one.

The East planning committee made the decision on the application by Jamie Hatch of KB Products last Wednesday after fierce opposition from local residents. A petition of more than 1,000 names against the scheme was submitted to the council.

The proposal was for three units that could accommodate up to 131,000 birds. Local people were concerned about the roads being too narrow for the size of the lorries driving to and from the site.

Cllr Andrew Long, who proposed that the scheme be refused, said: 'This would basically be a factory unit in the middle of the countryside and I believe it is against policy.

'There was a lot of opposition to this application but our job as councillors is to take the emotion out of it but consider the plans in line with planning policy.'