Plans for a substantial poultry farm in the vicinity of Toynton St Peter, near Spilsby, have prompted considerable criticism from the local inhabitants. RH-J Farms intend to build four units, capable of accommodating 180,000 birds. They have received 248 formal complaints from residents who are apprehensive about potential olfactory problems and possible water contamination from poultry waste. The agriculture business, which currently runs farmland and swine farming ventures, as well as an anaerobic digester facility at Grange Farm, claims that the proposed plants will not affect neighbouring houses due to their removal and a closed water system.
The proposal is under consideration with East Lindsey District Council at present. Bini Pitwell from the Coalition Against Factory Farming has voiced strong opposition; she argues that such schemes have wider repercussions, including impacting environmental and water supplies beyond local regions. However, defending the proposal, Ian Pick from Harrison Pick, who are the planning consultants for RH-J Farms, reassures that the monitoring of the smell will be minuted properly and that the architecture of the system guarantees there will be no river contamination.
More applications for poultry establishments are being submitted due to recent changes in industry standards on bird density. The verdict from East Lindsey District Council is eagerly anticipated by both proponents and opponents of the scheme.
The initial report was adapted by The Lincoln Post from the original news piece by www.bbc.com.
