Plan hatched for egg production

An application has been submitted for a free range egg production unit housing 16,000 birds.

The unit, off Southwell Road, Gonalston, would meet RSPCA Freedom Food standards to protect chicken welfare.

The planning application was submitted to Newark and Sherwood District Council by agents Ian Pick Associates on behalf of the applicant, Mr Robert Kirk of Nottingham Road, Thurgarton.

Mr Kirk has an existing free range egg production unit near his farm in Thurgarton.

The planning application says: “The unit for which planning permission is sought has been designed, both in its dimensions and layout, to meet RSPCA standards and will be operated to the national Lion Code.

“The unit is designed and located around welfare and quality standards to achieve correct environmental conditions and stocking density.”

The Lion Code is a quality assurance mark for British eggs.

Chickens would be divided into two sections of 8,000 birds either side of a central egg store with egg collection and packing facilities.

Birds would get in and out of the house through pop holes leading to outdoor grazing areas.

Six paddocks would be used on a rotation system and the birds would have access to them during daylight hours.

“Following this principle ensures that the unit retains sustainable surroundings of the quality grazing and avoids the problems of poached or contaminated land close to the unit itself,” says the application.

Inside the building nest boxes would be alongside a conveyor belt.

As the hens laid their eggs they would roll on to the belt and be taken into a packing area at the centre of the building.

The application says there would be no smell from the farm on a day to day basis but when the unit was cleaned out, once every 60 weeks, a smell may be created but it would last no more than a day or two.

An incinerator would be built on the site to dispose of dead chickens.

The planning application said: “A mortality rate of up to 5% over the flock duration can be expected. This equates to approximately one bird per 1000 birds housed per week.

“Any incinerator installed will have an after burn unit which effectively reduces emissions and odours.”

The application anticipates that, on average, two heavy goods vehicles a week would visit the site to deliver feed and collect eggs.