Water issue put in the spotlight at poultry farm
Overflow pond cited as possible problem by site neighbour
An environment watchdog has TWICE been called out to where a company is building a controversial poultry farm near Bankfoot, following further complaints about contractors’ methods.
Staff from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) had to tell workmen creating the huge chicken egg-laying farm in Tullybelton Wood to stop pumping silt water running off the construction site into natural watercourses, following complaints from local man David Murray.
Mr Murray, who has raised a range of concerns about Lohmann Tierzucht UK Ltd’s plans in recent months, said he asked SEPA to attend after a special pond built to catch the run-off – known as a sustainable urban drainage system (SUDS) – kept overflowing and the contractors started pumping the dirty water into nearby ditches to stop the site from flooding.
“They kept having to make the SUDS pond bigger and bigger every week because it couldn’t cope with all the water,” he explained. “Then they started pumping the water into ditches outwith the development site.
“And nobody seemed to know where all the water was going.”
Mr Murray has consistently said he feels the site is unsuitable for industrial development and believes the drainage problems confirm this.
“I’ve always said the SUDS system that has been designed to allow water to soak away would never work as the ground is clay,” he said.
A SEPA spokesperson confirmed: “SEPA staff have visited the site of a new poultry farm at Tullybelton on two occasions following a public complaint about silt-laden runoff from construction works.
“Our staff have advised that best techniques to remove sediment must be put in place, including temporary or long term settlement in ponds or filtering out of the soil particles by the use of silt fencing.
“The discolouration in the drains was not seen in the nearby watercourses by our officers but further visits will be made by SEPA to ensure that all possible mitigation has been put in place and that this is maintained.”
A local spokesperson for Lohmann Tierzucht UK Ltd and the project commented: “A temporary SUDS pond has already been created whilst [a] permanent pond is constructed. The water run-off referred to is that gathered naturally.
“We endeavour to ensure best techniques are deployed in all aspects of the construction.
“We are very focused on this positive economic development for rural Perthshire continuing in a progressive manner.” David Murray