Super-dairy opposition group delivers 53,223-signature petition to council
CONSULTATION has ended for the controversial super-dairy in Nocton.
For the past four weeks, residents have been invited to have their say on plans for a 3,770-cow American-style milking unit.
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38 Degrees campaign volunteer Eleanor Campion, right, prepares to hand in the petition.
North Kesteven District Council will deliberate on plans for the dairy with the aim of making a decision in early March.
If successful, the £34 million development, north of Dunston Heath Lane and west of the B1188 at Nocton Heath, would be fully operational by the end of 2012.
Sixty jobs would also be created at what would be Britain's biggest dairy farm.
To mark the end of the planning consultation period, campaign group 38 Degrees delivered a petition with 53,223 signatures to North Kesteven District Council (NKDC).
As well as the petition, more than 1,600 comments have been made on the dairy plans through NKDC's planning website.
Over 5,000 38 Degrees members have also sent e-mails to the council explaining why they oppose the Nocton super-dairy.
David Babbs, executive director of 38 Degrees, said: "Over 50,000 38 Degrees members are telling North Kesteven District Council the Nocton mega-dairy would be bad news for cows, for the farmers and for people living nearby.
"Now it's time for the council to stop the Nocton cow factory farm being built."
In the past few months, celebrities including conservationist Bill Oddie, activist Joanna Lumley and comedienne Jo Brand have joined residents in voicing their opposition to the dairy.
Deborah Wilson, Nocton resident and spokesman for residents' group Campaign Against Factory Farming Operations, said: "It's great news so many people from across the UK are standing behind our campaign to stop this US-style mega-dairy.
"We urge NKDC to listen to the 50,000 people who've signed this petition – and the thousands of other who are submitting objections and reject Nocton Dairies' application."
But a spokesman for Nocton Dairies Ltd dismissed the petition and said: "We've been concerned throughout about the level of misinformation and scaremongering from those opposing the plan.
"It is this that has driven so many people to sign petitions without even taking a single look at the facts in the application.
"However people want to portray it, this is simply a farm – albeit bigger than what we're used to in Britain.
"Cows would be managed in the same way as they already are on hundreds of excellent farms here in the UK where we have the tightest welfare standards in the world.
"Of course, objections are important, but it's not a numbers game.
"They have to be pertinent and based on the application and we should all have confidence in the consultees' rigor in weighing up both application and comments on accuracy and validity."
38 Comments
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by The Original David, Lincoln
Friday, January 14 2011, 4:18PM
“May I respectfully ask what the point of Comrade Maxim Kluntz' regular banal comments is?
Preumably he labours under the misapprehension that he is funny.
Funny perhaps, but not in the sense that he thinks.”
by The Original David, Lincoln
Friday, January 14 2011, 4:13PM
“Oi Missouri! I do not have "faux animal welfare concerns"
My view remain genuine and deeply held and would exist even if trhe farm were proposed inTimbuktu (and yes, I have probably spelled that wrong too!)”
by george, Lincs
Thursday, January 13 2011, 11:44AM
“if this dairy is going to cut down on the milk imports from the continent, then it as to be good for our economy,
Does any one out there know exactly the quantity of milk that is brought through dover on the night ferries, I don`t but there seems to be an awful lot of tankers on the ferries heading for the the UK dairies in the early hours.”
by Not in my back yard, Devon, err... Devon ....
Thursday, January 13 2011, 12:46AM
“I think its great that willes is buidling his factory farm for cows in Lincolsnire ... even with 8100 I don't think I could smell it over here ....”
by Peter, Washingborough
Wednesday, January 12 2011, 8:42PM
“Horray Missouri Marten for some sense. I was neutral and now am very much erring towards the dairy perhaps becuase i like supporting underdogs who are getting an unfair kicking. Anyway thought the estate agents asid on the debate last week there would be no long term affect on house prices once everyone stops making a hoo ha. I could almost hear the sucking in of air in the crowd because he wasn't playing their game.”
by Geoff Hall, Nocton
Wednesday, January 12 2011, 8:21PM
“Thank goodness we still live in a democratic society - watch this if you will: http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/house_of_commons/newsid_9357000/9357675.stm”
by Brian, Woodhall Spa
Wednesday, January 12 2011, 8:02PM
“Peter- It is already reported that NKDC will have a severely restricted remit on areas to be considered in this application. Having studied the application and comments made to date my experience points to need for deep scrutiny to ensure full transparency on all issues before deliberation.
Surely it is the responsibility of us all to try and ensure quality of life is protected for all involved including animals.
Rgds
Brian”
by Missouri Marten, Lincoln
Wednesday, January 12 2011, 7:39PM
“"He hoped to get away with it in Lincolnshire because we have a reputation for being quiet and acquiescent. Nirex and Fulbeck should have warned him"
Make your mind up for goodness sake. Are Yellow Bellies pushovers or not? I've lived in Lincolnshire for 40 years and have remained blissfully unaware that I and so many others in the area are viewed as such suckers by the wider world.
"So many of the comments on here are so narrow minded - this project is a money making venture full stop "
Wow!! Business man in "Trying to make a profit" scandal. Where will it all end I wonder?!
"Far more jobs will be destroyed than created"
Any evidence to back up that claim, or is it just a nugget of scaremongering that you plucked from your back passage?
I think the neutral would have far more respect for the protestors if they were honest and just admitted that they don't want this farm on their doorsteps because it will devalue their properties and make life less pleasant for them. They are more than happy for it to be built elsewhere however. I don't think many people are buying into their faux animal welfare concerns.”
by Peter, Washinborough
Wednesday, January 12 2011, 7:01PM
“Brian thats a damning indictment on planning in this country if you think they wont consider serious issues. What serious issues? health? noise? smell? pollution? of course they will under guidnace from the consultees, who are experts. do you really think anyone is going to slip this through unless their 100% happy with it? They are going to be stricter than US immigration, lets get real!”
by Laughing, lincoln
Wednesday, January 12 2011, 6:44PM
“I would like to put a challenge to all echo readers and that is when shopping this week don't buy normal milk go out of your way and buy organic or soya milk,
Lets see if we can all make a difference because when i sent a email to a big local supermarket and asked if they would be stocking milk from a super dairy type farm i did not like the answer i was given if you could call it an answer. It rather avoided a straight answer”