Rita Penman - 20-Jul-2007
- Liquid contaminated with poultry droppings
from Monksthorpe Farm leached into drains
connected with Lady Wath Beck, near Great
Steeping, Lincolnshire.
Skegness Magistrates’ Court today (Fri)
fined Llynclys Farm Ltd a total of £9,100
and ordered the company to pay £4,030
costs to the Environment Agency which brought
the prosecution.
The court was told that the farm consisted
of five large poultry sheds with a capacity
for up to 150,000 birds which are kept in
cages within the sheds. Droppings fall through
the bottom of the cages and then through
a slatted floor into a void underneath the
sheds.
The matter came to light on 1 September
2006 and the company was advised by the
Agency to make sure the surface water drainage
system could be managed more efficiently
but there was a further incident in October.
New legislation required the site to apply
for a Pollution Prevention and Control Permit
by 31 January 2007 which would have meant
expensive upgrading work but the company
decided that this would make the site unviable
and planned to close it down when the new
legislation came in.
In February Agency officers visited the
site again to make sure the organic waste
liquid was being properly contained, however
it was still leaching into the watercourse.
After the hearing Environment Officer Chris
Martin said: ‘Despite repeated site visits
and warnings the company failed to take
the necessary steps to prevent pollution
of nearby watercourses. This case highlights
the need to properly separate foul and surface
water systems.
‘It should send out a warning to companies
that dealing with their waste waters in
the correct manner is the key to preventing
pollution of the environment. We have far
reaching powers to take enforcement action
against those who disregard environmental
law.’
Llynclys Farm pleaded guilty to:
On 1 September 2006 you did cause or knowingly
permit poisonous, noxious or polluting matter
to enter controlled waters, namely a tributary
of the Lady Wath’s Beck at Monksthorpe,
Lincolnshire.
Contrary to section 85(1) and section 85(6)
Water Resources Act 1991. Fined £6,500
On 30 October 2006 you did cause or knowingly
permit poisonous, noxious or polluting matter
to enter controlled waters, namely a tributary
of the Lady Wath’s Beck at Monksthorpe,
Lincolnshire.
Contrary to section 85(1) and section 85(6)
Water Resources Act 1991. Fined £1,300
On 28 February 2007 you did cause or knowingly
permit poisonous, noxious or polluting matter
to enter controlled waters, namely a tributary
of the Lady Wath’s Beck at Monksthorpe,
Lincolnshire.
Contrary to section 85(1) and section 85(6)
Water Resources Act 1991. Fined £1,300
