Poultry problem not to be sniffed at

UK - Dealing with alleged odour problems from a Norfolk poultry processing firm could cost a district council more than £100,000. Breckland Council's Cabinet will today be asked to release £50,000 to support an ongoing court case against Banham Poultry. This is in addition to £52,000 already spent dealing with the firm's odour problems.

The company is appealing against an abatement notice served by the council in April 2003 following complaints about smells coming from its Station Road site, in Attleborough, and affecting residents.

A report to Cabinet says work has been done at the site to control odours and the company considers the notice to be unreasonable and unnecessary.

However, the council has been advised that it still has a very strong case, which is due to go to trial at Thetford magistrates' court in March for a minimum of three days.

The authority has employed a barrister, a full legal team and two consultants to advise on the odour issues and an extra £50,000 is needed to cover their costs.

1 February 2005