A WEALTHY farmer has pulled the plug on controversial plans to develop a farmstead in Appleton, but says he will be re-submitting the application in the near future.

John Bryan is planning two poultry units, a cattle shed, a general store and a residential caravan for an agricultural worker at Park Lane/Firs Lane. He also planned to have two buildings housing 5,000 free range hens.

But 10 neighbours were troubled by the plans and have objected, arguing that Mr Bryan already has unused farm buildings and that the new development would increase noise, odour and pollution.

Appleton Parish Council strongly objected to the application, claiming that it would be inappropriate for the green belt. The parish council also fears that the development may later be changed to houses.

The borough council employed an agricultural consultant who reported that there would not be enough space for stock, and that there were no agricultural reasons for using that location.

Planning officers recommended refusal of the application, stating that the need for a caravan for a farm worker did not satisfy planning guidelines.

But 70-year-old Mr Bryan said that the application was a genuine one and that he would be looking again at landscaping. He said that his barns are used for poultry and he welcomed protesters to view them.

He said: "It is the council and English Partnerships who have raped Appleton by buying retail sites, giving themselves planning permission and selling it to developers to build houses."

Mr Bryan has battled with planning bosses before. He fought for six years, eventually going to the European Court of Human Rights after he was ordered to demolish three barns when it was decided that they were in fact houses. He lost the action, at a cost of £250,000.