Villagers object to ‘industrial’eggfarm
A proposal to build a £10m “mega-industrialised” free-range egg farm over open countryside has brought an unprecedented reaction, with 12,500 people signing a petition against it.
More than 200 letters of objection have been lodged over the proposal to introduce 192,000 hens in three buildings.
A PROPOSAL to build a £10m “mega industrialised” free range egg farm over open Yorkshire countryside has seen an unprecedented reaction, with 12,500 people signing a petition against it and villagers hiring in consultants to battle the proposal.
More than 200 letters of objection have been lodged with Hambleton District Council over the proposal by Steven Tweddle of Fairholme Farming to introduce 192,000 hens in three 9,468 square metre buildings on 237 acres of arable farmland, east of Pillrigg Lane, Thornton Le Beans, near Northallerton.
Planning statements which were published in March state the enterprise would create up to 12 full-time jobs in an industry facing strong demand as UK supermarkets have committed to change to cage-free egg production by 2025.
An agent for Mr Tweddle said the supermarkets’ decision had left “a substantial task of replacing the colony cage production with free range production over the next four years”. He added the development would also fulfil an important social role. The agent stated: “The reality of feeding the population of the UK in a sustainable way means that it is necessary for there to be construction of more modern, increasingly efficient buildings.”
Gayle Davidson, of Thornton le Beans Action Group, said such was the strength of feeling among the community that a £10,000 fighting fund had been estab
lished to hire in consultants who had helped see off plans for a similar free range egg farm in Cornwall.
She said: “Despite the stress and financial strain of Covid, local people have come out to support a fierce opposition due to the completely inappropriate nature and location of the plan. Hambleton Council has informed us the community response has not been witnessed before.”
Many of the objections lodged over the proposals highlight concerns over the impact on the landscape, ecology and road safety, while others question the need for such a large-scale venture.