Super-dairy opposed by vegans

Vegetarians and vegans have vowed to derail plans for a super-dairy in Lincolnshire.

But after a day of consultation sessions at Nocton Village Hall, council officials said the mood among locals seemed to be generally in favour of construction going ahead.

Philip Rowson, a principal planning officer for North Kesteven District Council, said: "It was good to see so many people turn out. On the whole, the feedback was pretty positive.

"People did say there were issues of concern – things like traffic, noise, and the spreading of slurry – but there didn't seem to be many with overriding objections."

Resident Karen Watchus said that even having now had chance to see the plans first-hand, she was "still pretty much on the fence".

"In theory it's a good idea," she said. "But it's going to be a big enterprise and as yet I don't think people have realised just how big."

Meanwhile last night both local and national vegetarian and vegan groups said they would be attempting to derail the plans.

Linda Wardale, group co-ordinator of Vegan Lincs, said she thought conditions in the dairy would be akin to "battery farming for cows" and her members were already filing official objections through the council's website.

She said: "Cows should be in fields, nibbling on grass, but here they're going to keep them in sheds.

"I honestly don't think Lincolnshire needs something like this."