Nocton Dairies Ltd - letter to Parish Council

Lobbying the Parish Council

You may be interested in a letter I have sent to our local Parish Council - see below:

Ms Elaine Storr (Chairperson)
Nocton Parish Council
C/O Mrs Doreen Green (Clerk)

25th July 2010

Dear Ms Storr,

Nocton Dairies Ltd – Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Review – 10/0831 EIASCO

I see Dunston Parish Council have prepared an excellent response to the above application on behalf of their residents. I would like to request that our own Nocton Parish Council consider something similar within the timeframe allowed for comment.

I have the following information that may help form discussion points for your Councillors:

• This development is going to be an industrial site, not a farm in any sense of the word. It will be operating 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, with all the related impact to residents living in the vicinity and along the supply routes to this facility.
• The revised plans show an increase to the number of large slurry lagoons on Nocton/Dunston Heath... increased from one to three... and this could yet be increased even more.
• It should be noted that the applicants are now intending to use mobile, overland, umbilical pipes for the dispersal of slurry, rather than underground pipes. These umbilical pipes are in no way foolproof, being vulnerable to damage by abrasion and puncture from stony/flinty ground, with the possible resulting pollution to the fragile aquifer.
• This industrial site is estimated to produce in the region of 567,000 litres of slurry PER DAY for 8,100 cows and it is paramount this be disposed of safely. Much of the effluent produced will be dispersed on land surrounding our villages. Is it not reasonable for us to ask for a conditional exclusion zone (perhaps 1km) from property, given that spraying/spreading of effluent can legally be as close as 6 metres to property boundaries?
• The impact from dispersal of effluent on the populous requires careful consideration from a public health standpoint. There is evidence that particulates in the air can exacerbate breathing problems for people suffering from asthma and similar complaints. Is it reasonable to allow this near villages?
• Tests can be carried out on air samples for ammonia and hydrogen sulphide that arise from slurry lagoons. Odour transects can be conducted using a field olfactometer. Perhaps these need to be made a condition of any construction of lagoons so close to a village? Also, the requirement for an impermeable cover will significantly reduce ambient concentrations of ammonia and hydrogen sulphide from the lagoon, thus reducing significantly any odours in the surrounding area.
• The Anaerobic Digester will not be operational until Year 2 and therefore untreated slurry will need to be disposed of during the first year at least. There is no guarantee the Anaerobic Digester will in fact be constructed unless it is made a condition of the planning approval.
• In any case, ‘Digesters are only marginally effective at reducing problems with odors, pathogens and greenhouse gas emissions from animal waste or sewage sludge, but they are incapable of making any chemical contaminants in the wastes go away. Digesters aren't emissions-free. They are known to emit nitrogen and sulfur oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide and ammonia. Living next to a digester could be unpleasant, particularly if located in a residential neighborhood or if the facility would be large.’ See here.
• The fresh water requirement for 8,100 cows is estimated to be between 1,100,000 and 1,800,000 litres PER DAY. This is likely to be sourced by pumping from the River Witham, by abstraction from underground resources and also from normal water supply. In a low rainfall area and with the world’s water resources dwindling, can we really afford this amount of water for an industrial concern when there is a need to guarantee a reliable supply of fresh drinking water for human needs?
• The access and egress to the dairy is still shown as joining the B1188 which is a Red Route. There is a need for a detailed assessment of traffic flow, hour-by-hour for vehicles servicing this industrial site.

These are just some basic points that need to be considered... there are many more issues which if fully researched will highlight potential problems and inform your paper.

I would be grateful if you would ensure our Councillors discuss this most pressing issue with the utmost urgency and prepare a response at the earliest opportunity.

Yours sincerely,

GMHall