Campaigners fighting a planned poultry-rearing farm dubbed a “monstrosity” have reacted in disgust to the discovery of graffiti apparently championing their cause.

Concerns about odour, pollution and the impact on wildlife have been raised by residents of the Fox Hole, who live next to the protected Y Fron, Twyll Llwynog site of special scientific interest in Abergele.

A consultation is currently proceeding to locate a farm there to raise more than 38,000 chickens.

However, a message spray-painted at the entrance of Y Fron, bearing the slogan 'No Chicken Unit', has angered the residents, who believe some activists have taken things too far.

Noel Garlick, a resident of the Fox Hole closest to the proposed development, said: “We understand that others are as opposed to the farm as we are, which will be an eyesore on the area and will stink, but we don’t understand why they can’t use the correct channels – like we have – to register their objections.

“I’ve spoken to the owner of the land’s father and they are as disgusted as we are. We have offered to help clean it up.”

Following a report in the Journal earlier this month, where one Fox Hole resident described the farm as a “monstrosity”, opposition to the unit has mounted.

A total of 52 objections and petition bearing 27 signatures are being submitted to Conwy County Borough Council’s planning department.

The residents of the Fox Hole have also recruited TV presenter Iolo Williams, the campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales and the Woodland Trust to their cause.

Darren Millar, AM for Clwyd West has also urged the applicants to reassure residents of the impact of the scale of the operation on the area, its wildlife, odour pollution and issues with transport links.

The application has been put forward by Abergele farmers ER & EW Roberts who are aiming to diversify their business.

They currently rears sheep on the 12-acre Y Fron site. The new operation would involve rearing up to 38,000 newly-hatched chicks for transportation to free-range farms.

The applicants have also received increased support in consultation responses.

A total of 27 people have written in support of their plan, pointing to the benefits of keeping a family of farmers in the county, and reassuring objectors that it will be a 'cruelty-free' approach.

Letters of support fail to address the residents odour concerns or the potential impact of industrial fans on a colony of protected lesser horseshoe bats that roost 400 metres away in Coed y Gopa.

However, a letter submitted on April 16 by development planning advisor Sion M Williams states that National Resources Wales have “concluded that there is not a reasonable likelihood of protected species being present”.

National Resources Wales’ position is that the farm, should it not exceed 40,000 chickens, will not negatively impact any of the issues residents have with the proposal.

The agent acting on behalf of the applicant has been approached for comment.