Council 'engages' with Banham Poultry over Fulmodeston flies

The leadership at North Norfolk District Council was quizzed over the situation at Fulmodeston, near Fakenham, which is said to be driving some of the neighbours of the Banham Poultry-owned farm up the wall. 

Councillor Mike Hankins, of Stibbard ward, which includes Fulmodeston, said at this month’s full council meeting: “There is a significant fly infestation emanating from a local poultry farm, which is giving enormous distress to a number of my constituents. 

READ MORE: Fulmodeston 'plagued by swarms of flies' from chicken farm

NNDC councillor Mike Hankins (Image: NNDC)

“My question is, what is happening about it?”

Councillor Callum Ringer, portfolio holder for IT, environmental and waste services, said: “It’s obviously not a particularly pleasant time to be living in Fulmodeston at the moment with the flies.

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NNDC councillor Callum Ringer (Image: NNDC)

“My understanding is that enforcement officers have been on the site and have engaged with the owners of the poultry business, and further meetings are taking place, hopefully, to try and bring about a speedy and prompt response to that. 

“It is all in hand and officers are working very hard on that.”

Villagers including Janet Smith said the flies were affecting “every aspect” of their lives, and said she had been getting up to 200 flies a day in her own home.

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The chicken farm reopened at the beginning of this year after previously closing in 2020 due to hundreds of complaints from locals to the Environment Agency about the “unbearable smell” and noise coming from the site.

A Banham Poultry spokesperson said: "We are aware of the issues that some of the villagers are facing with regard to flies.

"We are doing everything within our powers to reduce the risk of flies from our activities