September 4, 2018 8.28 pm This story is over 66 months old

‘Smelly Skelly’ upgrade met with objections too

Opposition to factory upgrade and expansion
Updated proposals for the Skellingthorpe animal rendering plant will see the community hub pictured above removed.

Plans to upgrade an animal rendering pant in Skellingthorpe have been met by objections from councillors.

Proposals for the existing plant, which has earned the village an unfortunate nickname of ‘Smelly Skelly’, were lodged with Lincolnshire County Council by Leo Group Limited.

The facility would be demolished and replaced under the application with upgraded odour filters.

Four eco-homes would also be built, including one for the factory manager, and developers would incorporate a fishing lake, walking and cycling paths, as well as a public car park.

A community hub is also proposed as part of the application.

But North Kesteven District Council, who have been consulted on the proposals, have raised concerns about the plans.

Protesters against a similar proposal in Norton Disney. Photo: Jasper Weldon

It comes as a further application from Lincoln Proteins Ltd to build a similar factory in Norton Disney has also been met with objections.

Councillors on the district authority’s planning committee said the Skellingthorpe factory proposal was inappropriate.

ALSO READ: Councillors object to Norton Disney animal rendering plant

The council voted to raise objections on the grounds of the purpose of the homes and community hub, the noise and odour of the plant and contamination.

A further three concerns were raised on the impact on the landscape, traffic and minerals.

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Andrew Watt, agent for the applicant, said that the homes proposed were necessary for the area.

“There is a need for affordable homes,” he said.

“Around 330 homes would be needed in the borough every year from 2020 and the industrial activities would be situated away from these homes.

“There is no major odour problem with this proposal.”

But objector to the application, James Birch, who is the owner of Doddington Hall, said recommending the plan would only “prolong the plant”.

“This is not an appropriate place for a rendering plant,” he said.

“It is within walking distance of a village and in distance of Doddington Hall.

“To recommend this application go ahead would only prolong the plant.”

Councillors on the district council’s planning committee voted to approve the objections and concerns to the plan.

A final decision on whether the proposal is approved will be made by the county council at a later date.

Councillors object to Norton Disney animal rendering plant