Plans for large-scale chicken farm could bring 'noise and disruption' to rural village, campaigners warn
Plans for a chicken farm could bring ‘noise and disruption’ to a rural village, campaigners have warned.
Lincolnshire Poultry Ltd has applied to East Lindsey District Council to build six buildings, associated infrastructure and a farm manager’s property on land west of Barn Farm, Torrington Lane in Wragby.
The proposed development will house up to 240,000 birds if it’s allowed to go ahead.
But some residents say the plans would harm the local area and bring ‘noise and disruption’ to a rural village.
Ivor Davey, 82, and Pam Davey, 80, have an organic vegetable farm directly next to the site.
Mr Davey said: “My wife and I have lived at the Old Nurseries since 1980, working tirelessly to grow organic vegetables without any chemicals.
“We have an orchard that dates back 150 years, in which there are rare varieties of fruit tree that do not exist anywhere else in the country, and a wildflower meadow, which hasn’t been ploughed for over 1,000 years and is a haven for birds like the at-risk spotted fly catcher, tawny owl and spotted woodpeckers.
“We are extremely concerned about the plans for a huge industrial chicken farm a few hundred metres from our family small holding.
“Everything about our life and work is put in jeopardy by this proposal, as any pollutants from the units would be carried on the prevailing winds directly to our property.
“We fear for our health, our wellbeing and the likely impact on delicate ecosystems.”
Wragby resident Jeremy Dodd is also worried about possible health risks.
He said: “We cannot predict just how bad the noise, traffic and smell would be. My most serious concern, however, is the possible effects on health from the pollutants from such a development.”
Alison Moore, from East Barkwith, is concerned that the proposed development would negatively impact the character of the area.
She added: “The application appears likely to result in persistent unpleasant smells affecting neighbouring homes, public roads, and the surrounding countryside, particularly during warmer weather and manure spreading periods.
“This is not a traditional low-intensity agricultural use typical of the rural landscape.
“It is effectively an industrial-scale livestock operation situated within a countryside community where residents reasonably expect clean air, peace, and enjoyment of their homes and gardens.”
A spokesperson for Communities Against Factory Farming, Harley Brewer, said he feels the county is becoming a hotspot for chicken farms.
He added: “Lincolnshire already has more factory farms than any other county, and residents don’t want the noise disruption and environmental harm that another intensive chicken operation would bring.”
He feels the proposal is ‘cruel’ to the animals and vowed to work with residents to fight the plan.
A spokesperson for East Lindsey 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.”
The agent for the application, Acorus Planning and Design, declined to comment.