Lesley Reeson, 28, and her husband Darren, 33, of Hagnaby Road, have been canvassing support and putting up posters to object to the plans that would see 23,000 free range chickens move on to the site.

Mrs Reeson said: "We already have three poultry farms in the village, we do not need another one."

Mrs Reeson believes the farm, off the Main Road, would be a 'blot' on the landscape, and would attract an unpleasant smell, and rats, to the area.

But Andrew Craven, who has submitted the application with his company, A.R. Craven Farms, thinks the concerns are unfounded.

"Although 23,000 chickens sounds a lot, they will be divided up into flocks and are free range," said Mr Craven. "There will only be one unit and a large expanse of grass.

"The majority of the village is three-quarters of a mile away. It isn't going to be intensively stocked and there won't be fans running 24 hours a day.

"At the end of the day, the planning application ticks all the right boxes. I am going to the public meeting for the benefit of the village and to squash the scare stories that seem to have arisen."

A spokesman for East Lindsey District Council said a set process had been followed to notify residents and any views would still be accepted until the plans go before the planning committee in June.

The meeting to discuss the proposals will be held at Stickford Community Centre on Thursday, May 22, at 7.30pm.

l What do you think to the plans? Text your views to 81800. Start your message with BSCOMMENTS followed by your message – and please include your name and address. Calls cost 25p plus the standard network charge.