Second firm considering a county site to build huge 2,896-cow dairy
A SECOND Lincolnshire site is being eyed up for another huge dairy, the Echo can reveal today.
As reported, Nocton Dairies Ltd put its plans for a 8,100-cow dairy between Nocton and Dunston on hold in April following a huge public outcry.
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North Kesteven District Council has yet to receive a revised blueprint.
Now it has emerged that a company called Velmur Ltd wants to set up a 2,896-cow facility in South Witham, near Grantham.
The project would create about 30 jobs.
The Echo understands the company and the application is entirely separate to Nocton Dairies Ltd and its scheme.
Company director Mike Walsh, who is from the Republic of Ireland, will be briefing members of South Witham Parish Council tomorrow and there will be a public meeting about the scheme on Monday, June 7.
Mr Walsh said it was very important to talk to people before any firms proposals were submitted.
"We are not connected to Nocton Dairies Ltd, but obviously we have been keeping an eye on what was happening there," he told the Echo.
"We think there are a lot of positives with what we want to do at South Witham, for example new jobs.
"Animal welfare is vital to the success of our operation because if you don't have healthy animals you don't survive in the dairy business.""
The planning authority, South Kesteven District Council, has confirmed no proposal has yet been lodged for the dairy on land south of Broadgate Road.
Velmur Ltd, whose registered office is given by Companies House as an address in London, is working in association with landowner the Buckminster Trust Estate.
The public meeting on Monday, June 7, begins at 7pm in South Witham Village Hall.
5 Comments
by Deborah, Lincoln
Tuesday, June 01 2010, 9:25AM
“Mick - just so you know - Nocton Dairies' plans have not been dropped - just temporarily withdrawn and the 'cowboys' intend to return later this year.
Why 2896 cows? Peculiarly specific ... But the issues to look for are: What will these cows be fed on, will they be allowed to graze when they like, will they be milked 2 or 3 times a day, what will be done with the slurry, will there be any risk to water supplies from the nitrates, where will the water for the cows come from, how close will the 'farm' be from human habitation. I'm not saying that all these aspects will be taken seriously by your local planners, but they should be as these are the key issues which will affect those who live close by, who care about clean water and the environment, and - although this last consideration is not a material planning matter - will concern those who care for the welfare of the animals.”
by Mick, Gainsborough
Tuesday, June 01 2010, 1:35AM
“This is not on at all,
Think about it, will your milk prices that you pay in the shops come down if this was to go ahead - erm no, don't think so.
Comes down to money and greed - these firms don't care about the welfare of the animals nor that these animals have a soul, all they are to them is a number - ie cow no 10342 which makes £££ per day. See it this way - do you fancy spending x amount of time (months, years) stuck in a cage or small area/pen for most of your life, inpregated, loosing your calf and sucked by a machine? Also do you fancy getting bored to tears seeing the same thing all of your life not able to do what is natural to your world that you live in?
A group against the Nocton Dairy was set up and they quite right put their cases against Battery Cow (milkers) farm and it was dropped. Again I understand a second go will happen again more people will oppose this. This is not the NIMBY thing of having trucks going to and from on the roads near the village concernded, far from it.. Its about firms packing more and more into a intensive system that doesn't work for many people - its mainly pure greed and money making that is no good for anyones or animals soul or wellbeing.
This firm will see the same as attitudes, outcry to/of "battery" and intensive farming has its becoming a sore point now, more and more people are now choosing their food more carefully either its Organic or Locally Sourced products thats ethical in its own right. And yes, I eat organic food products as I do not want nastys going through me..
For a test - try a pint of bog standard Milk, then go to waitrose and buy their Non Homogensied Milk - bet you will taste the difference and notice which one will taste like milk did in the old days.”
by Emma, Lincoln
Monday, May 31 2010, 5:14PM
“Yeah, Steve, 'coz there are only two options.”
by Steve, Lincoln
Monday, May 31 2010, 4:08PM
“Bring it on. Better the land be used for dairy farming than be used for building houses and shops that no-one wants nor can afford.”
by Dan, Lincoln
Monday, May 31 2010, 8:07AM
“Not a good development.
The county's already being used as a dumping ground for battery hen units because the land's cheap, and now it seems that we're going to be used as a dumping ground for battery cows, with all the problems that brings for everyone in the area.”