A group campaigning against a proposed chicken factory farm is warning of health ‘implications’ if the application is approved.
The application for the farm at Peartree Hill Road, Whaplode Drove, prompted the commissioning of a report from air quality specialists.
“As currently planned, the proposed development results in concentrations of fine particulate matter that would have significant impacts on human health . . . and odour levels that would potentially exceed Environment Agency thresholds,” says the document from Dr Michael Bull and Associates, commissioned by the Coalition Against Factory Farming (CAFF).
“Dr Bull warns that predicted increases in dangerous particulate matter (PM10) at Peartree Road are among the highest he has ever seen – up to 15 times greater than levels forecast for major airport projects. These tiny toxic particulates can enter the bloodstream and reach vital organs,” said a CAFF coordinator.
Residents met recently to discuss their concerns at the plans to house 3.8 million chickens a year by Holbeach Poultry Ltd in 12 units.
“If planning permission is granted for this ridiculous plan, it will decimate the area,” said Darrel Mountcastle.
Another resident, Graham McFayden, said: “My first and foremost concern is for the welfare of the chickens and the cruel reality of intense factory farming.
“It just breaks my heart that they have voices no one listens to, it’s an unnatural and inhumane of so-called ‘farming.’”
The company behind the scheme submitted amendments in July to its original application in March, but opposition still remains from a range of objectors, including Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.
According to CAFF, airborne pollutants are linked to with conditions including asthma, lung cancer and cardiovascular conditions.
But the Environmental Protection Team at the district council has ‘no concerns regarding the adverse effects of noise and odour from this development on the wider area.’
An environment protection officer said that there was a raised potential for odour nuisance affecting the nearest property, to be used by site workers who were ‘less likely to be adversely impacted.’
The site is also in an area of ‘high potential’ for Roman archaeological remains and Historic England recommends a field evaluation before work starts. Romano-British remains on the site should ‘be regarded as setting to the nearby scheduled monument,’ it says.
The application should be refused, say campaigners, as there is no greenhouse gas emissions assessment included.
CAFF says Lincolnshire has more factory farms than any other area of the country. The organisation is supporting campaigns in Toynton St Peter and two applications in West Lindsey, a separate one in Ingleby and another in Sleaford.
Campaigners also say the company hasn’t provided an assessment on the cumulative impact of waste from the relatively high number of intensive poultry units on the rivers of Lincolnshire.
The original application, submitted in March, was accompanied by a design and access statement which said there would be ‘limited social impact.’
It added that the visual impact of the development would be mitigated with planting additional trees and hedgerows along the field boundary.
“The appearance of the proposed buildings are similar to others in the area. The proposal is considered in keeping with other farm building developments over the past 30 years,” it said.
The precise number of objections to the application is not known as South Holland District Council does not publish objections on the planning portal. A move described as ‘highly unusual’ among local authorities by the campaigners.
But CAFF says the county already has more factory farms than anywhere else.
“Intensive poultry units such as this are dreadful for animal welfare, harm our long-term food security and have damaging knock-on effects to our waterways, environment and ultimately our health,” said CAFF coordinator Bini Pitwell.
Broiler chickens reared on factory farms are bred to grow rapidly and many suffer from serious health problems, say campaigners. The birds spend their short life indoors and are usually slaughtered when a few weeks old.
Whaplode Parish Council has commented that it supports the application.
