RESIDENTS are in uproar over plans for a 39,000 bird poultry house they claim will make their lives “miserable”.

If the blueprint gets the go-ahead, residents at High Sampool, near Levens, fear the 23-ft structure will blight the landscape and will emit an “unbearable” stench.

The plans for a single poultry unit to house up to 39,850 birds next to the existing farm complex have been submitted to South Lakeland District Council by Jonathan Mason, of Lawrence Farm, Levens.

The plans also include an egg sorting and storage area and a manure storage building.

Chris Schofield, whose family home would be next to the development, said: “When I first heard about it, I was appalled by it and if it goes ahead I will be devastated.

“Basically, there will be an industrial farm building at the bottom of my garden. It will be the size of a football pitch.”

He said the plans were a “wrong” move and said: “The building will be immense. The feeling among residents is that if it goes ahead it will make life miserable and house prices will plummet.

“This operation will attract and become a breeding ground for flies and rats and other vermin, which will be unbearable for those nearby.”

He said he was concerned that it would be built on a flood plain and that Sampool Lane was already a “state-of-repair” road without an eight-tonne vehicle travelling along it twice a week to collect eggs.

The residents of eight homes directly affected by the proposed extension have banded together to fight the planning application and have been distributing leaflets in the rural area in an effort to inform others about their plans and to join their plight. Resident Trevor Carey called the plans an “abomination” and said he also had concerns over pollution from the chicken manure seeping into the River Kent.

He said: “The proposed building is enormous and will be a blot on the landscape, visible for miles around, and the stench will be far reaching and unbearable.”

He claimed egg production was “declining” in the UK and said: “There is no reason to build this monstrosity here. It is an outrageous misuse of the natural environment.”

A report submitted with the planning application states Mr Mason, who also runs a dairy farm, needs to “diversify” his farming enterprise to ensure “long-term stability”.

It also stated the size of the building was “essential” to the egg production scheme and would have no “adverse impact£ on the neighbours.

Mr Mason did not want to comment but pointed out that he had had flood, landscape, noise and ventilation reports conducted.