Campaigners are telling us plans for a poultry farm near Spalding could have health impacts on local people
The group has warned that Lincolnshire risks becoming a ‘hotspot’ for large-scale poultry farm
A campaign group has warned that Lincolnshire risks becoming a ‘hotspot’ for large-scale poultry farms after plans were submitted for one to be developed in South Holland.
Sustain: the Alliance for Better Food and Farming fears Holbeach Poultry Ltd’s plans in Whaplode Drove could pose health risks and animal welfare concerns.
Holbeach Poultry Ltd has applied for 12 poultry houses and associated infrastructure to be built on land at Peartree Hill Road, Whaplode Drove. Each of the buildings would measure approximately 80ft by 360ft.
The group wants South Holland District Council to refuse the application – which it says is missing a key document – along with calling on the Government to support farmers to produce more vegetables and pulses.
The council said it’s in the process of considering the application and that no decision has been made yet.
Campaigners say that residents haven’t been properly consulted about the human health, environmental and animal welfare risks of the proposal.
It can create health problems for people
Ruth Westcott, campaign manager at Sustain, said:
“We’re finding that Lincolnshire is becoming a new hotspot for these applications."
“In the UK, we are already producing more meat and dairy than the country needs. What we really need is for more vegetables and pulses to be produced in the UK."
“There’s many more sustainable things which could be done at this farm. There’s no justification for producing more meat and dairy."
"It's keeping so many animals in a small space, they emit harmful chemicals, particularly ammonia, which they pump straight through chimneys into the air."
“That means that they either deposit the chemicals in local environments or they can travel long distances and pollute the air for quite a long distance. Ammonia pollution is toxic."
“When you have lots of these farms in one area, it can create health problems for people."
“We’re worried that those air quality and health impacts are not properly set out. People don’t know about what impacts adding another of these units could have on their health.”
We have to change course, for our health, for our environment and for the animals
The proposal has also been criticised by many local residents, including members of the Holbeach Intensive Poultry Farm Objection Group.
Kev Bunn, co-ordinator of the group said:
“Lincolnshire is already the home to more intensive poultry farms than any other area.
“We have to change course, for our health, for our environment and of course, for the animals who bear the brunt of needless suffering.”
A spokesperson for South Holland District Council said: “We are unable to comment on the details of a live, undetermined planning application, so as not to prejudice or influence the formal determination.
“All applications received are determined in strict accordance with the local and national planning policies every Local Planning Authority must adhere to.
“All developments, including matters of environmental impact, are fully assessed against these policies before a decision is reached.”