ANOTHER environmental group has joined the opposition to a new egg farm for 32,000 hens near Winchester.

The Woodland Trust has objected to the plans for the 140-metre barn off Sarum Road.

Last week the Daily Echo reported there had been 150 objections to the proposal by Sam Burge, of Vale Farm, for land, near Crab Wood.

Campaigners say the large barn would harm the open countryside and is near Crab Wood, ancient woodland and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

The Woodland Trust is concerned about the proximity of manure from the birds’s range to the wood some 50 metres away.

It said: “We are of the opinion that the development... will compound the deterioration of ancient woodland as a result of further increasing ammonia levels and nutrient nitrogen deposition.”

Natural England has objected due to the lack of information provided on the impact of air pollution on Crab Wood and other SSSIs, such as the River Test, within a 10km radius. They state: “The interest features of the site(s) may be sensitive to impacts from aerial pollutants, such as those emitted from this proposed development”. They also say “Natural England would advise the applicant consider in particular the impact of runoff and leaching nutrients on the designated sites, in particular Crab Wood Site of Special Scientific Interest which is 500 metres from the proposed application site.”

The Crab Wood Action Group, in a statement, said: “Crab Wood Nature Reserve & SSSI is a precious resource enjoyed by many people in the Winchester area and much further afield. As an SSSI it should have the highest level of protection and we want to see it preserved for generations to come. This application, if permitted, is likely to have wide-ranging and irreversible implications for its delicate ecosystem.”

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust has also objected, saying the plan will harm the sensitive flora of the SSSI.

The plan is due to go to the planning committee at a later date.