Nocton Dairies Update - 16 July 2010

What is an Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Opinion (EIASCO)?
This is a request to the local authority to obtain professional opinion on how the proposed development will affect the environment.

How does this differ from an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)?
The developer will consider the outcomes from the EIASCO and produce a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as part of the formal planning application. The local authority is required to consider the accuracy of the Environmental Impact Assessment provided by the developer.

If deemed insufficient and further information is required to support the planning application, the local authority may recommend withdrawal of the application (this is what appears to have happened with the original planning application (09/1040/FUL). The developer will endeavour to settle the outstanding issues, before starting the planning process all over again.

However, if the Environmental Impact Assessment is deemed acceptable, the local authority will escalate the planning application to Committee. This is where the District Councillors on the Planning Committee will consider the application, along with the evidence and recommendations from specialist consultees. The plans will then be accepted (applying conditions if necessary), or be refused. This is how the planning application is 'determined'.

Who are the 'consultees'?
'Consultees' are anyone who may be affected by the planning application. These include specialist bodies who can provide guidance and feedback on the plans.
A list of consultees is published (displayed on the NKDC website under the specific planning application reference) and each is invited to comment on the application by a given date.

The public are also entitled to register their opinions and comments, supporting or objecting against the proposals.

For example, with the waste products from this intensive dairy potentially having major implications for the environment, the Environment Agency (EA) is one of the many specialist consultees. It appears the EA is already in discussion with the developers, with a view to understanding the many risks involved, so a robust risk assessment can be carried out.

Another major consultee will be the local Council's Environmental Health department, who will have to consider the potential impact for residents from the disposal of huge amounts of slurry on land close to local villages, Blankney, Branston and Mere, Dunston, Nocton, Potterhanworth, Metheringham and Scopwick. There will also be implications from traffic to all surrounding roads, so another consultee will be Lincolnshire Highways at Lincoln County Council.

Hopefully this gives you an idea of the enormity of the task surrounding such a large proposal.

If you would like more information, please visit:
North Kesteven District Council: http://planningonline.n-kesteven.gov.uk/online-applications/
Nocton Dairies Limited: http://noctondairies.co.uk/
Campaign Against Factory Farming Operations: http://www.caffo.co.uk
Nocton blog: http://nocton.blogspot.com