North Yorkshire chicken farm proposal faces growing opposition

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 08:32 · Archive

Opposition is intensifying to Forest Poultry Ltd's proposed 360,000-chicken farm in North Yorkshire despite new manure disposal plans.

Forest Poultry Ltd has submitted an updated environmental statement for its proposed poultry farm at York Gate Farm near Melmerby, north of Ripon. The facility would house up to 360,000 chickens at a time and produce approximately 2.7 million birds annually, generating nearly 4,000 tonnes of poultry manure each year.

Originally, manure would have been transported over 250 kilometres to Thetford Biomass Power Station in Norfolk for combustion. The updated statement confirms Thetford remains the preferred option but proposes alternatives should that facility close. Under the alternative arrangements, AWSM Farming Ltd, based near Richmond, would collect manure and process it at one of five anaerobic digestion facilities across northern England, including sites at Leeming, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and North Cave. These facilities would convert the waste into biogas, with remaining material used as agricultural fertiliser.

Despite these new proposals, opposition to the scheme continues to strengthen. Melmerby and Middleton Quernhow Parish Council has maintained its objection to the plans. A group representing residents from nine villages has submitted a detailed 59-page challenge to the proposals. The developer argues the alternative arrangements would avoid storing or spreading untreated manure locally and reduce transport distances.

How it is being reported

• Opposition grows to 360,000-chicken farm in North Yorkshire despite new manure plansOpposition to plans for a massive poultry farm in North Yorkshire continues to grow despite the developer submitting new information aimed at easing concerns over the disposal of thousands of tonnes of chicken manure.The Northern Echo · 24 Oct, 08:00
• Opposition grows to 360,000-chicken farm in North Yorkshire despite new manure plansOpposition to plans for a massive poultry farm in North Yorkshire continues to grow despite the developer submitting new information aimed at easing concerns over the disposal of thousands of tonnes of chicken manure.Darlington & Stockton Times · 24 Oct, 08:00

In this story: Forest Poultry Ltd · AWSM Farming Ltd · York Gate Farm · Melmerby · Ripon · Thetford Biomass Power Station · Norfolk · Richmond

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