Published 23/12/2010

Compassion in World Farming can reveal that a group of nine MPs has written to Eric Pickles MP, Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government to request that he calls-in the planning application for a 3,700 cow 'mega-dairy' on Nocton Heath, Lincolnshire. This follows Compassion's own call-in request in November this year.

What does a call-in mean?

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government can exercise his discretion under Section 77 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) to  call-in a local planning application for his own decision, instead of leaving the decision to the Local Planning Authority.

Cases are considered on their individual merits and this action is generally taken only if planning issues of more than local importance are involved.

General update

Nocton Dairies submitted their official plans for a 3,700 cow 'mega-dairy', where cows will be kept indoors for most of their lives, to North Kesteven Council on Wednesday 17th November.  The Council began accepting public comments/objections to the proposals on Friday 10th December.

Wherever you live in the UK you can say NO to Nocton Dairies' plans.

North Kesteven District Council is giving greater consideration to objections which take environmental impact and local amenity (i.e. noise, smell, traffic) into account- over those which focus on ethical issues surrounding factory farming and animal welfare. To make an impact Compassion recommends that objections include these vital environmental issues as well as animal welfare concerns.

Our website www.cowsbelonginfields.org gives good advice for anyone wishing to object to the planning proposals in a way that has the greatest effect.

You can submit your objections online until Tuesday 11th January, 2011.

Or write to:

North Kesteven District Council,
Planning Office,
District Council Offices,
Kesteven Street,
Sleaford,
Lincolnshire,
NG34 7EF.

Objections made by post will be uploaded to the District Council's website.