Compassionate appeal

Secretary of State must take action on Nocton Mega Dairy

'Compassion in World Farming has applied for the decision about the fate of the proposed mega-dairy in Nocton to be taken out of the hands of the North Kesteven District Council and placed in the hands of national government.'

http://www.ciwf.org.uk/news/beef_and_dairy_farming/secretary_of_state_must_take_action_on_nocton_mega_dairy.aspx

Animal welfare charity asks Government to intervene over decision on super-dairy

'AN animal welfare charity has applied for the Government to decide on the Nocton super-dairy instead of the council.'

http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/news/Charity-asks-Government-intervene/article-2939491-detail/article.html
 

Massive protein deficiency in cows

'New results show that in the first few days after calving the dairy cow suffers from a massive protein deficiency.'

http://www.farminguk.com/news/Massive-protein-deficiency-in-cows_19256.html
 

Raw deal

'Industry watchers say that raw milk is becoming more popular as consumers take a greater interest in where their food has come from.'

http://www.economist.com/node/16322762

North Kesteven District Council's further response regarding Members visit to Withgill Farm

The local resident concerned has sent me the Chief Executive's reply for publication:

"22 November 2010

Dear xxxx

MEMBERS VISIT TO WITHGILL FARM

Thank you for your letter dated 9 November 2010. Please find below responses to your questions as set out in your letter.

1) As stated in my previous letter dated 3 November 2010, the site visit was an educational visit for Members consisting of a tour of the farm complex. There was no presentation given to Members, nor were there any discussions relating to the Nocton proposals. The Council has now received a submission from Nocton Dairies in relation to the Nocton Site and this will be fully appraised and assessed on its merits.

2) There was no anticipated improper contact and it is usual practice for Senior Officers to accompany Members on such visits.

3) As stated above, there was no presentation given to Members and I can confirm that Mr Surtees was not paid a fee by the District Council.

4) If the resubmitted proposal is heard by the Planning Committee, reference will be made to the site visit to Withgill Farm.

5) The Code of Conduct and the District Council's Planning Code of Conduct sets out the requirements and ways in which Councillors participate in the planning process, and are documents that Members are very familiar with. It is for individual Members to determine how to appropriately conduct themselves having regard to the constraints of the two codes.

6) I can confirm that the statement that appeared in the LKL Newsletter did not come from the District Council. The Council's Press Office have asked LKL to publish the following in their next newsletter:-

Further to the article in October's LKL Newsletter, North Kesteven District Council wishes to make clear that it has no preconception in respect of the Nocton Dairy proposal. It is wrong to suggest that North Kesteven District Council 'want this project to happen' and likewise there is no prejudgement or 'confidence' within the Authority over the future prospects of any planning application which may subsequently be received. Any such application will be determined on its own merits and solely in accordance with national and local planning policy. The Council has no affiliation with LKL, has not provided any information in respect of, nor been asked to comment on, the assertions made in the October 2010 Newsletter.

I trust that this response satisfactorily resolves your queries.

Yours sincerely,


Ian Fytche
Chief Executive"

I suspect this may bring the correspondence to a close, but be assured if anything is discovered to the contrary, it will be published here in this blog.