September 4, 2018 7.06 pm This story is over 66 months old

Councillors object to Norton Disney animal rendering plant

They had many issues with the development
A site layout of the animal rendering plant proposed for Norton Disney.

Councillors in North Kesteven have objected to a controversial application to build an animal waste rendering plant in Norton Disney.

Lincoln Proteins Ltd have proposed the new factory at Villa Farm, which would see the firm move from its current Skellingthorpe facility and create around 30 jobs.

The plans have been submitted to Lincolnshire County Council but require consultation with district councillors in North Kesteven before a final decision can be made at county level.

The plans proposed by the firm would see two processing buildings built on the farm.

Permission is also being sought for the change of use and alterations to the two existing dwellings to form ancillary offices and demolition of all other existing buildings.

Applicant Alan Asker, objector Joe Weller and parish council chair Vanessa Hall.

The site would also include a water treatment plant, internal roadways, employee welfare buildings and a visitor and staff park at the site.

Animal rendering is the process of converting waste animal tissue such as fatty tissue, bone or even entire carcasses of animals turned away at slaughterhouses, into purified fats like lard or tallow.

This can sometimes be converted into products like rubber, plastic and lubricants, or animal feed.

The council had objections to the plans on three issues and raised concerns on a further three areas.

The district authority objected to the application on the grounds of the location selection and the impact of odour and how it would affect the landscape.

Further concerns were raised on the impact on local heritage, traffic issues and the safeguarding of minerals in the area.

Alan Asker, site manager at Lincoln Proteins Ltd, said that the firm was making efforts to have minimal impact on the site.

“We need new premises due to issues with the lease at our current site,” he said.

“We invest in new technology to minimise environmental impact.”

But Pat Woodman, Chairman of the committee, said that the site was unsuitable for such a development and questioned how close it would be to the Lancaster Bomber gateway.

“It’s an enormous site, it is an industrial complex,” she said.

“The first thing I want to see when I come in on the A46 is the Lancaster Bomber, not this site.

“I wish they had chosen a different site.”

Protesters against the Norton Disney plant. Photo: Jasper Weldon

The council voted to submit the objections and concerns to the county council where a decision will be made at a later date.