32,000-capacity poultry shed near Carnoustie given green light

Plans for a second 32,000-capacity chicken shed in Angus have been approved. A £2.1 million plan by Lindertis Farms Ltd for a free-range hen house and egg-packing facility at Airlie, near Kirriemuir, was approved by Angus Council in December.

Now, a similar proposal for a 32,000-capacity hen shed at West Scryne Farm near Muirdrum, north of Carnoustie, has been given the green light by the local authority.

The West Scryne plans have been lodged by WH Porter, which owns the popular East Scryne fruit farm. The company wants to add to its existing business, which includes a farm shop, cafe and soft fruit production, by creating an additional revenue source. Several new jobs are expected to be generated by the project.

The firm says the new poultry business would also provide around 98 tonnes of organic manure supply, helping it move away from the use of chemical-based fertilisers.

The single-storey, 25m-wide and 122m-long building would house 32,000 hens. The application says the flock would be housed in a “high welfare environment,” which would give them freedom to roam, stretch wings, fly and take dust baths.

Birds would also have direct access to a large range, and around four hectares of previously unused land would be provided for the birds to roam.

Angus Council has approved the West Scryne Farm plans, subject to a traffic management plan being submitted and an archaeological investigation being carried out.

The council has also imposed conditions that no HGVs will be permitted to move to and from the site before 7am and after 7pm, with no lorries allowed to move to the site on Sundays. The site will also have strict noise restrictions in place to minimise disruption for nearby residents.

WH Porter said in their application:

“This proposal seeks to diversify the existing farming operation into free-range egg production, thereby enhancing the long-term sustainability of the business and contributing to regional food security.”

This article appeared in the Courier on 6 May 2026