Protests force Nocton Dairies to cut back on cow numbers

Plans to establish an 8100-cow dairy farm in Lincolnshire have been torn in half following protests from local residents and animal welfare campaigners.

Nocton Dairies, the farmer-owned company behind the controversial “mega-dairy” project, will submit a planning application for a much smaller herd size.

It is believed that numbers will be cut to 4000 cows – less than half the number originally proposed for the site south of Lincoln.

Animals will also now have more cubicle space and access to outdoor paddocks, rather than being continually housed for much of the year, Farmers Weekly has learned. Milk tankers will be routed away from local villages where possible.

Peter Willes, one of the farmers behind the project, refused to comment on exact cow numbers. But he added: “The plan has changed enormously from the original. We’ve taken on board people’s concerns.”

Slurry would be processed from the outset using an anaerobic digester, said Mr Willes. This would minimise odours and spreading requirements, generating electricity and reducing the farm’s carbon footprint in the process.

“We hope everyone will take a detailed look and weigh it up on its own merits, rather than take the word of single-issue pressure groups, who seem to be basing their arguments on the old application and fairly radical assumptions.”

Animal welfare campaigners said they would have to see the revised plans before commenting in detail on their contents. A reduction in cow numbers alone would not constitute a victory for the anti-Nocton campaign, they warned.

“We’d also need to ensure there were enough stock people per cow, and that those cows have sufficient pasture,” said Annabel Davis, campaign manager at the World Society for the Protection of Animals.

“We know there will be access to the outdoors but we believe it is more likely to be loafing areas rather than actual pasture. We want to make sure the plan reflects UK-style dairy farming, rather than following the US model.”

The revised planning application could be resubmitted as soon as next week. But it may be rescheduled following a wrangle over planning fees between Nocton Dairies and North Kesteven District Council.

Nocton paid £166,465 in planning fees for the original proposal. It had hoped to resubmit without further cost. But the plans have changed so much that the council may treat them as a fresh application – and charge accordingly.

Planning officials tasked with reviewing the site layout were due to meet Nocton representatives in a bid to resolve the issue as Farmers Weekly went to press on Wednesday (10 November).

A council spokesman said the revised plans were being examined to determine whether a fee should be charged. “No decision has yet been taken and we will continue to liaise with the applicant on this matter.”