Embedded Files
Run_off.mp4Those familiar with this area know that it has a clay sub-soil which prevents water draining through the soil after heavy rain and this leads to a high level of surface run-off, burns over-flowing and roads flooding.
Localised flooding has been an increasing problem in recent years due to higher levels of annual rainfall.
There is local concern that the construction of large sheds at Cononsyth, capable of housing 64,000 hens will seriously affect the water table in the area and exacerbate flooding.
We believe that the plans for capturing precipiation on these sheds and the associated tracks and hard-standings are totally inadequate; the potential impact of these increasing rainfall levels on flooding and water pollution are discussed in some detail in Further Information.
It is estimated that free-ranging birds will deposit 4.7 tonnes of droppings per week on the land.
These droppings cannot be managed and ultimately will be broken down by microorganisms in the soil. Rain falling on the land will carry the pollution into local burns and rivers. The video shows the surface water run-off from the North Western range area of the site proposed, into a drain which ultimately joins Denton Burn and finally Lunan Water.
Hen droppings contain high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, which can cause eutrophication, and residues of any veterinary products used to treat the hens, as well as other toxic residues which will have a negative impact on aquatic life.
Many of these contaminants will be digested by earthworms present in the range areas of the site, which in turn may be eaten by birds, thus impacting the avian population.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse