PETA slams West Lindsey District Council's egg farm decision

Animal rights campaigners have heavily criticised West Lindsey District Council for approving plans for a “monstrous egg farm” with 32,000 hens in Laughterton, asking whether the authority is “playing an April Fool’s Day joke on local residents”.
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A decision was delayed in February after more than 40 objections were received and a PETA petition, now with more than 15,000 signatures to stop the plans, was submitted.

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is a global non-profit organisation and charity which is dedicated to protecting the “rights of all animals.”

After the council’s decision on March 31 to pass the plans, Elisa Allen, PETA UK’s director, commented in a statement: “Is West Lindsey District Council’s planning department playing a cruel April Fool’s Day joke on local residents?

The plans were unanimously approved by West Lindsey District CouncilThe plans were unanimously approved by West Lindsey District Council
The plans were unanimously approved by West Lindsey District Council

“If not, the council has made an insupportable, high-handed political decision that ignores 15,000 signatories on a petition strongly opposing a monstrous egg farm.

“In approving this proposal, which will bring with it traffic, noise, pollution, and stench, council members have shown they lack foresight, common sense, and respect for residents and other animals.

“Anyone who finds this decision appalling must take personal responsibility by ditching eggs, helping the cruel egg industry collapse for lack of consumers to support it.”

However, an agent for the applicant has previously stated that “is difficult to see how any reasonable person can object to the scheme on the basis of animal welfare."

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Plans for a 'controversial' egg farm in West Lindsey have been approved

As well as PETA, the plans received many objections during a consultation process with particular claims around the smell the farm will allegedly cause.

One comment said: “I totally object to this. The smell will affect us all and we have a small child. Not what the village needs at all.”

Another resident said: “Living in the village this would cause a lot of distribution and cause a terrible stink in the village. Would definitely put people off buying houses in the village too, which would ruin the lovely community we have.”

Another said: “I strongly object. This development would fall directly into our lovely village. Not only the strong smell from the farm but the added heavy goods vehicles.”

However there have been environmental assessments and the project meets relevant policies.