Animal Equality supports the local resistance against UK’s first fully on-land salmon mega-farm
A huge threat that should never have been approved
Despite serious objections raised by Animal Equality, North East Lincolnshire Council approved the development in November 2023 with seven councillors voting in favour and four against. If built, the facility would produce 5,000 tonnes of dead salmon annually – around one million fish – and would be the first of its kind in the UK.
At the Planning Meeting, Abigail objected on behalf of Animal Equality, alongside aquatic specialist Mark Borthwick who warned councillors of the extreme risks posed by such an operation, particularly the high death rates seen in these artificial environments.
Just like in any factory farm, in an artificial environment like this, an accidental flick of a switch can be catastrophic for the animals. Take Applecross Hatchery, for example, where 1.5 million fish died in August last year because a system failure caused the water to become too acidic. This is one of many similar recorded incidents in on-land farms.
– Abigail Penny, Animal Equality UK’s Executive Director
Environmental destruction on an enormous scale
This development threatens more than just the lives of fish. It risks polluting local waterways, draining vital resources, and placing intense strain on infrastructure. The proposed farm is expected to produce as much waste as a city of 400,000 people – more than four and a half times the population of Grimsby – and would use as much energy as 3,200 homes annually.
Mark Borthwick has warned that wastewater from fish farms is so toxic that a single leak could wipe out an entire local species and seriously endanger human health.
And the location could not be more ill-judged. Sitting on the edge of the Humberside Estuary, the site threatens a place of outstanding natural beauty and ecological importance. Locals cherish the area, which is home to unique Wall butterflies and serves as a vital habitat for overwintering and migratory birds. This is a disaster waiting to happen – not just for animals, but for the entire ecosystem and the community that enjoys it.
Taking the fight to court
We’ve taken this battle far beyond the council walls. In November 2023, Animal Equality applied to the High Court for permission to challenge the council’s decision – arguing it was unlawful, especially as councillors were wrongly informed that animal welfare couldn’t be taken into account. The court granted us permission, and the case proceeded to a full judicial review in February this year. Just 5% of cases make it this far!
We’re now waiting for the judge’s verdict. But whatever the outcome, one thing is clear: this fight is far from over.
Locals, politicians, and advocacy groups lend their support
That’s why Animal Equality’s visit to Cleethorpes mattered so much. Abigail stood shoulder to shoulder with residents, politicians, and campaigners on the very site where this mega-farm is due to be built. With placards in hand, they sent a clear and united message of opposition.
It’s going to be right in front of my home, devaluing the property and blocking out light. But more than that, I’m worried about the chemicals, the risk of a seawall breach, and the impact on wildlife. We have migrating birds, endangered butterflies, and deer here – this land is a habitat that needs to be protected.
– Julie, Local Resident
As a local resident, I knew from the start that this was a bad idea. They claim it will create local jobs, but there’s no guarantee those jobs will go to local people. And when we attended meetings, we were assured that proper environmental checks had been done. Now we know they were overlooked. They don’t care about the residents or the wildlife, just profit.
– Steven, Local Resident
Baroness Natalie Bennett from the House of Lords even joined the demonstration:
There’s also the question of the investment and where else it might go and how it might go towards supporting small, independent businesses supporting the general economy of this region. Not something that’s just dumped on it, landed down, ownership from far away. The money gets shipped out. What Grimsby needs is a strong local economy.
Regardless of the outcome of the court case, our fight against this form of factory farming will continue.
Environmental advocacy charity, Feedback, helped to coordinate the community visit, also lending their support for our case and drawing attention to the salmon industry’s unsustainable practices. Natasha Hurley, Director of Campaigns at Feedback, says: “Salmon farming is the very antithesis of a sustainable food system. It’s about creaming off big profits for corporations, it’s not about producing good food for people.”
Should the judge rule in our favour, the approval of the salmon farm could be reconsidered by the council. This would present an important opportunity for locals and politicians to intervene, urging councillors to reconsider the significant consequences for animals, the environment, and local communities, and ultimately reject the proposal.
However, if the court rules against us and construction proceeds, we will not relent. We will continue to hold the developers and relevant authorities accountable for the serious issues we have long warned about. This is a whole new form of factory farming and we will not allow it to go ahead unchallenged.
We will also persist in urging Government Ministers and MPs to use their influence to block similar onshore fish farms from being approved, using this project as a clear example of the risks involved. The louder the opposition, the more media coverage we secure, the stronger the signal we send to future developers and investors: this project, and others like it, will face rigorous scrutiny and determined resistance at every stage.
Take action now
You don’t need to live in Grimsby or Cleethorpes to block onshore salmon farms. By emailing your MP and getting this topic on the agenda, you can encourage them to use their power to take action.
And remember, there is no compassionate way to consume salmon. Offshore farming systems are just as cruel, with mortality rates sky-high and migratory animals crammed into overcrowded artificial tanks throughout their entire miserable lives. Save them from a lifetime of suffering; switch to plant-based alternatives today.
Protect Fish
Scientists confirm that fish feel pain and suffer. Protect these sensitive beings by choosing plant-based alternatives to animal food products.
