UK Mega Dairy Expansion Approved Amid Residents’ Concerns Over Traffic and Safety
Source: DairyNews.today
North Yorkshire Council has granted approval for a controversial expansion at Souber Dairy in Bank Newton, despite vocal opposition from residents citing increased traffic, safety concerns, and damage to local infrastructure.
The planning committee of Skipton and Ripon gave the green light for the construction of a cover over an existing storage facility at the 960-cattle farm, described by critics as a "mega dairy."
Residents and Local Councillors Voice Concerns
Residents of Gargrave and Bank Newton, alongside some committee members, expressed frustration over the farm’s impact on the area. They highlighted the narrow roads leading to the site, which they say have become hazardous for pedestrians, cyclists, and hikers due to frequent farm traffic.
Gregory Butt, Chair of Gargrave Parish Council, criticized the farm's expansion over the past two decades, stating, “This is not the right location for an operation of this scale. The traffic volume has grown to unacceptable levels, causing significant safety issues.”
Cllr Simon Myers, representing Mid-Craven, called for the committee to address residents’ concerns. “Thirteen years ago, we had no complaints about near-misses on these roads. Now, they’re a weekly occurrence,” he said. Myers also noted the damage to the nearby Changeline Canal Bridge, which has remained unrepaired since being struck by a vehicle in early 2023.
Proposed Traffic Study Rejected
A motion to delay the decision until September 2025 for an independent traffic study was dismissed. Proponents argued that such a study, conducted during the busy harvest season, could provide valuable data on road safety and traffic capacity. However, committee chair Nathan Hull questioned its efficacy, stating, “A survey would only tell us the current traffic volume, not predict future impact.”
Farm Defends Its Practices
Applicant Tom Dodgson, whose family has operated Souber Dairy for over a century, defended the project, emphasizing that the planned cover was a weatherproofing measure, not an operational expansion.
“There will be no change to the farm’s activities. Much of the traffic blamed on our dairy comes from other farms in the area,” Dodgson said, adding that the farm has implemented measures like a one-way system to minimize disruption.
Dodgson also pointed to sustainability initiatives, including solar panels that have made the dairy nearly self-sufficient.
Approval Comes With Conditions
The committee ultimately approved the application but imposed a condition requiring the construction of a passing place near Changeline Bridge to alleviate traffic concerns.
Cllr David Ireton remarked, “We’re only approving a cover for an existing facility. While I sympathize with the concerns, there’s no evidence this will increase traffic.”
Broader Debate Over ‘Mega Dairies’
The decision underscores a broader debate about the industrialization of agriculture. Critics like Cllr Andy Brown argued that the farm’s scale and practices are incompatible with the rural setting, describing it as “an industrial operation inappropriately located.”
Brown added, “This type of agriculture could just as easily be carried out on an industrial estate. It’s the industrialization of farming at the expense of local communities and heritage assets.”
Future Implications
The approval highlights the challenges local authorities face in balancing agricultural modernization with community concerns. While the immediate issue of the storage facility is resolved, broader questions about the suitability of large-scale farming operations in rural areas remain unresolved.
The decision is likely to fuel further scrutiny of similar developments as rural communities grapple with the implications of industrial-scale agriculture.
Residents and Local Councillors Voice Concerns
Residents of Gargrave and Bank Newton, alongside some committee members, expressed frustration over the farm’s impact on the area. They highlighted the narrow roads leading to the site, which they say have become hazardous for pedestrians, cyclists, and hikers due to frequent farm traffic.
Gregory Butt, Chair of Gargrave Parish Council, criticized the farm's expansion over the past two decades, stating, “This is not the right location for an operation of this scale. The traffic volume has grown to unacceptable levels, causing significant safety issues.”
Cllr Simon Myers, representing Mid-Craven, called for the committee to address residents’ concerns. “Thirteen years ago, we had no complaints about near-misses on these roads. Now, they’re a weekly occurrence,” he said. Myers also noted the damage to the nearby Changeline Canal Bridge, which has remained unrepaired since being struck by a vehicle in early 2023.
Proposed Traffic Study Rejected
A motion to delay the decision until September 2025 for an independent traffic study was dismissed. Proponents argued that such a study, conducted during the busy harvest season, could provide valuable data on road safety and traffic capacity. However, committee chair Nathan Hull questioned its efficacy, stating, “A survey would only tell us the current traffic volume, not predict future impact.”
Farm Defends Its Practices
Applicant Tom Dodgson, whose family has operated Souber Dairy for over a century, defended the project, emphasizing that the planned cover was a weatherproofing measure, not an operational expansion.
“There will be no change to the farm’s activities. Much of the traffic blamed on our dairy comes from other farms in the area,” Dodgson said, adding that the farm has implemented measures like a one-way system to minimize disruption.
Dodgson also pointed to sustainability initiatives, including solar panels that have made the dairy nearly self-sufficient.
Approval Comes With Conditions
The committee ultimately approved the application but imposed a condition requiring the construction of a passing place near Changeline Bridge to alleviate traffic concerns.
Cllr David Ireton remarked, “We’re only approving a cover for an existing facility. While I sympathize with the concerns, there’s no evidence this will increase traffic.”
Broader Debate Over ‘Mega Dairies’
The decision underscores a broader debate about the industrialization of agriculture. Critics like Cllr Andy Brown argued that the farm’s scale and practices are incompatible with the rural setting, describing it as “an industrial operation inappropriately located.”
Brown added, “This type of agriculture could just as easily be carried out on an industrial estate. It’s the industrialization of farming at the expense of local communities and heritage assets.”
Future Implications
The approval highlights the challenges local authorities face in balancing agricultural modernization with community concerns. While the immediate issue of the storage facility is resolved, broader questions about the suitability of large-scale farming operations in rural areas remain unresolved.
The decision is likely to fuel further scrutiny of similar developments as rural communities grapple with the implications of industrial-scale agriculture.
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