One step closer for mega farm
Picture: The site of the proposed 320,000 bird free range farm
Plans to build the world's biggest free range farm in the Scottish Borders have taken a step nearer to becoming a reality.
The scheme to create a 320,000 bird, multi-tier complex on the Blythbank Estate south of Edinburgh has run into a blizzard of opposition from the residents of four local villages.
They demanded that the initial planning application for the first pair of 16,000 bird sheds linked by a central egg room should be subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment. The local council backed their claim. But Glenrath (Farms) Ltd the major egg company behind the scheme took its case to the Scottish Executive.
And Scottish ministers have now ruled that no EIA is necessary for the first structure because there is no indication that "it will have significant environmental effects by virtue of its nature, size, location and potential impact."
The issue of further related developments on the site will be dealt with if and when any future applications are submitted to the Scottish Borders Council. That authority's planning committee will now decide on whether the first building gets the go-ahead.
Furious members of the Blythbank Action Group claimed that the Executive had failed in its duty to protect their communities. An EIA only becomes mandatory for any development of 50,000 layers and over.
The protestors—who live in the villages of West Linton, Romannobridge, Mountain Cross and Blyth Bridge—have also produced a 14 page colour document setting out their concerns against the development.
It described the scheme as "a massive agri/industrial development" which would irreparably damage the whole valley in which it would sit. Stressing that the first shed complex would be 800 metres from a primary school, it cites noise, light, smell and chemical pollution as "matters of real concern".
The group is also raising the threat from avian influenza, particularly if manure from the multi-tier units is to be dried and lead to the possibility of the virus becoming wind borne on dust particles.
Their objections also cover the pollution of a private water supply; potential flash flooding; the pollution to two tributaries of the Tweed; the ecology of a special site that is home to otters, badgers and a wide range of wild bird and plant species; and heavy traffic on narrow roads.
Glenrath (Farms) Ltd, operated by Mr John Campbell, already has one 32,000 bird multi-tier unit, a system of production that has caused controversy within the free range sector. The company packs over a million eggs a day for Tesco and Asda and last year had a turnover of £24 million.
It bought the 1,277 acre Blythbank Estate from the Roslin Institute last year in pursuit of a plan to extend its free range egg production base. The development will cost £10 million and will create 20 jobs.
