Nocton Dairies

Nocton Dairies made a proposal to set up a dairy farm on Nocton Heath, Lincolnshire. If planning permission had been granted, this farm would have become the largest dairy farm in the UK.

The RSPCA was asked by North Kesteven District Council (the local planning authority) to provide comments on the planning application, relating to the welfare of the cattle, despite the fact that animal welfare concerns are not a formal part of the planning application process.

In our response, we expressed concern that any potential animal welfare advantages listed in Nocton Dairies proposal were seriously undermined by the proposed stocking density of the animals with outside access. This would have been equivalent to more than 120 cows per acre – more than five times the maximum that the RSPCA recommends.

At such a high stocking density, it was our view that such a small area for so many cows would soon become unhygienic, however well managed. This might mean that cattle would not be let outside at all, as the outside area became churned and unsanitary – subsequently becoming a reservoir for disease. 

We clearly stated that the RSPCA does not support dairy farming systems which house cattle for 365 days a year. In addition, we believed that at least ten per cent more cubicles (the individual areas provided for the cows to lie down/rest in) would have to be provided to adequately meet the cows’ needs. This would help to maximise cow comfort and minimise disruption to the herd social hierarchy.

We were also disappointed that there did not appear to be a provision for cushioned flooring in the areas of heaviest use and our farm animal scientists were also concerned that there appeared to be no provision for pain relief during therapeutic procedures such as foot trimming.

We concluded by saying that having looked at the evidence presented, we were not persuaded by the welfare arguments presented in this planning application. This view has been publicised, including via Radio (BBC Farming Today) and other media.

In addition, as outlined above, we strongly believe that the planning system needs to change and start to include a full animal welfare risk assessment, when such a proposal is received.