A PRIZE-winning poultry breeder is celebrating after Kendal Town Council (KTC) resolved to let him keep cockerels on his allotment.

Jim Benson has kept Rhode Island Reds on Coley Barn Allotments for more than 30 years, but was faced with the prospect of having to give up his beloved birds after a noise complaint from a nearby resident.

The complaint had forced the hand of Kendal Town Council, which has a no-cockerel policy in its Allotment Tenancy Agreement, but has “turned a blind eye” on some sites for decades.

But at their March meeting councillors voted to “allow cockerels in exceptional circumstances.”

The authority discussed the issue at its February meeting but delayed making a decision in order to seek legal advice.

A report to the council said advice had been sought from the National Association of Allotment Gardeners.

The advice given was that although it is best practice, for a number of reasons not to allow cockerels on allotments, there is no definitive law, and the Control of Pollution Act 1974 is open to interpretation.

The association stated that if the landowner permitted cockerels and there were no bylaws to the contrary, then cockerels could be housed on the allotment.

KTC, which owns the Coley Barn site, just off Windermere Road, voted to change the wording of its Allotment Tenancy Agreement to reflect the advice.

Mr Benson said he was ‘very pleased’ with the council’s decision.

“I was worried I might have to pack up altogether,” he said. “This has dragged on for months and at least I can get forward now and hopefully look to the future.”

The Gazette reported last month that residents on Windermere Road were supporting the allotment holders and a reporter conducted a vox pop at a dozen properties and non of the 12 respondents said they were bothered by the birds.