A PUBLIC drop-in session has been organised by a farming family that wants to build four broiler rearing units, covering 10,000 square metres, on land near Ledbury.

The Houlbrookes, of Ockeridge Farm, withdrew their original application in December, after 600 members of the public voiced objections.

Ledbury Town Council also objected to the plans for land at Chances Pitch off the Worcester Road.

But now the application has been re-submitted to Herefordshire Council, and the Houlbrooke's say there is public misunderstanding about what they actually want to build and how it will appear.

Phil Houlbrooke said: "We have conclusive evidence that those units will not smell. Modern poultry sheds don't smell, and there is no noise from fans."

The Houlbrookes have also commissioned a photo-montage, showing a view of the farm from British Camp, one of the Malvern Hills, which they say shows little difference to the scenic view.

Mr Houlbrooke said: "I would say the development would be unobtrusive, but I will let people judge."

Their new application contains new surveys which they hope will satisfy objections, including from English Heritage, because Chances Pitch is an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB).

And a campaign has started to win hearts and minds in Ledbury and Colwall.

Mr Houlbrooke said:"The Houlbrooke family are holding a drop in session between 3pm and 6pm on Saturday July 11 at the Colwall Park Hotel. This is not a formal meeting but will provide an opportunity to view the full size photo montages and to discuss on a one to one basis any concerns with the proposed development."

The family is also offering to take local people to an operating modern chicken broiler units, to help allay concerns.

But Ledbury-based protestor, Valerie McLean said of the drop-in session: "That is not the same as a public meeting . I have no questions so I will not be going."

She added: "If an industrial chicken unit was allowed to be erected in an AONB protected area then a precedent would be set.

"My view is, there is absolutely no need for this; and I think the smell will be quite strong. How can the units be smell free?"

Tracey Elgar of the Colwall Action Group, opposed to the development, said the proposed units "will be in the direct line of sight from British Camp – a major point of objection from English Heritage and Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) last time".

She said the potential impact on the local tourism industry "should not be under-estimated".

Ledbury's mayor, Cllr Annette Crowe welcomed the fact that the Houlbrookes were engaging with the public.

She said: "The people can listen to what they have to say. We as a town council will listen too and make a decision when we have listened."

The new application is yet to appear on the Herefordshire Council planning application site.

Cllr Crowe: "It will be interesting to see what amendments they have made."