At a recent meeting of the Planning Board at North Warwickshire Borough Council, an application to build a broiler plant in Mancetter was rejected by councillors. Local Conservative ward members Margaret Bell and Denise Clews made a clear and coherent case for refusal, bringing the attention of the Board to the areas of the application that were ignored or understated by the Environment Agency. Their strong case against this application led to a unanimous decision by the Board to reject the application.

Councillor David Humphreys, Leader of the Council and a member of the Board said: "There has been much local opposition to this proposed broiler plant; it is the wrong type of development for Mancetter and brings no benefit to the area. The Conservative group, led by the local ward members put forward a strong case for refusal. A combination of democracy and localism acting in unison has achieved this fantastic result for local residents."


Councillor Margaret Bell, representative for Hartshill added "This has been a long battle for these residents and I am very pleased that it was refused. The pollutants that may be released from this site could cause further harm to the air quality in the surrounding villages of Hartshill and Mancetter and exacerbate the already worrying health outcomes for these areas. I also think it is important that this site, part of the nationally important Romano-British pottery industry, should be celebrated and preserved for future generations."

Local MP Craig Tracey stated “I am pleased that the Council has taken decisive action to turn down this unpopular planning application. The previous administration dithered without making a decision. Local Conservatives have kept their pledge to Mancetter and Atherstone residents by voting against the broiler.”