E5 The Poultry Planning Landscape With Ian Pick

In this episode of the Poultry Network Podcast, Jake Davies, editor of Poultry.Network, steps in for regular host Tom Woolman to interview one of the most recognisable names in UK agricultural planning: Ian Pick of Harrison Pick.

Described as "planning royalty" in the poultry world, Ian shares insights from nearly two decades of experience helping producers across the UK navigate an increasingly complex planning system.

Responsible for thousands of poultry units nationwide, Ian explains the current realities facing farmers who want to develop or expand poultry operations - especially in light of tightening environmental thresholds and regulatory changes.

The conversation begins with a walk-through of the planning process from first contact through site screening.

Ian outlines how the ammonia impact threshold is now the biggest barrier, ruling out around 80% of initial enquiries.

Most applications fail before they begin — unless mitigation technologies like air scrubbers can be justified.

Despite these challenges, Ian says demand is booming, particularly in the broiler sector, with stocking density changes driving the need for more housing.

He and his team are seeing record volumes of planning applications, working 80-hour weeks just to keep pace.

New activity is concentrated along the east side of England (Norfolk, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire), with additional development in Shropshire and north of the border for layers.

However, regions like Wales and Herefordshire are essentially closed to new developments, with planning frozen due to Natural Resources Wales policies and nutrient neutrality rules respectively.

In Herefordshire, the fallout from a court ruling classifying manure as waste remains largely confined to that local authority’s policy framework — although campaigners are using it as ammunition elsewhere.

Jake and Tom raise the growing influence of well-organised anti-lobby groups, whose tactics and PR strategies can amplify local objections.

Ian acknowledges their presence but argues that such campaigns often overstate their impact.

Even in cases where judicial reviews have succeeded — such as the recent one in Shropshire — the outcomes are typically technical adjustments rather than blocks to development.

Ian stresses that well-prepared, environmentally robust applications are still succeeding, particularly for replacement of old buildings with modern equivalents.

In England at least, planning authorities are still accepting arguments for betterment, especially where new builds reduce emissions and meet higher environmental standards.

The episode closes with a reminder of the strategic importance of the poultry sector to UK food security and health.

A must-listen episode for poultry producers, integrators, and stakeholders navigating the intersection of agricultural growth, regulation, and environmental responsibility.

👉 Visit harrisonpick.co.uk to contact Ian Pick and his team.

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