CAMPAIGNERS battling against plans for a controversial "chicken city" to be built in the Worcestershire countryside said they are thrilled with a decision to reject plans to allow 160,000 birds to be housed at the site.

This week the planning inspectorate dismissed an appeal by applicant Edward Davies concerning an application for four broiler hen sheds, each housing 40,000 chickens, to be sited on land north east of Froghall Bungalow, in Naunton Road, Upton Snodsbury.

The decision by inspector Jane Miles follows another made last year in January at appeal stage concerning the same site to allow two chicken sheds to be built on the site - this application still stands and could go ahead, should Mr Davies get permission from the Environmental Agency.

Despite this campaigners, who formed the Wychavon Parishes Action Group to fight against the plans, said they were delighted with the news.

Alastair Findlay, from the group, said: "It's fair to say we are thrilled the appeal has been rejected.

"I think all the communities felt this was the wrong development in the wrong place. I am particularly thrilled because the communities have worked together on this one and a lot of people have done a lot of work because we felt this was intrinsically wrong.

"This is pleasant rural land, it would have been decimated.

"There's a real sense of feeling that justice has been done."

Liz Holpin, also part of the group, added: "We are absolutely delighted. We will continue to monitor that site and we are investigating the possible environmental and health dangers of any chicken farms on that site."

The application also attracted attention from animal charity People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, known as PETA, which submitted a petition with 26,000 signatures objecting to the plans.

PETA UK Director Mimi Bekhechi said: "Chickens are social animals who are as intelligent as cats and dogs and like to spend their days together taking dust baths, roosting in trees and lying in the sun, all of which are denied them when they are forced to live out their shortened lives on cramped, filthy factory farms."

Wychavon District Council's planning committee voted against the plans unanimously in September last year and the chairman of the group said she is also delighted with the outcome.

Cllr Linda Robinson said: "We’re delighted that this has been refused especially as so many residents have worked together on this.

"The planning inspector has agreed that this development was not in keeping with rural nature of the area due its industrial nature. It’s great to see local democracy in action."

In her report the inspector also refused an application for costs by Edward Davies.

The report states: "My conclusions on the main issue indicate that the proposal would unacceptably conflict with the environmental dimension.

"I find that this conflict outweighs the likely economic benefits of the proposal."