Pickstock’s Scottish Expansion Approved Without Environmental Impact Assessment

Pickstock’s Scottish Expansion Moves Forward Without Environmental Impact Assessment

The English meat processing firm Pickstock has received approval to proceed with its multi-million pound expansion into Scotland without the need for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The Shropshire-based company plans to construct an abattoir near the A74(M) close to Ecclefechan in Dumfries and Galloway.

Despite local villagers’ concerns and a request for the Scottish government to review the council’s decision, the Planning, Architecture and Regeneration Directorate (PARD) concluded that the issues raised did not justify overturning the council’s stance. Consequently, a study of the potential environmental effects is not required.

Pickstock announced its plans for the new facility earlier this year, highlighting that the development would create up to 60 full-time jobs and reduce travel time for animals currently transported to its Telford facility.

Local residents had voiced worries about the “likely significant effects” on light pollution, flooding, traffic, and potential “human health impacts” of the proposals. However, the Scottish government determined that with the proposed mitigation measures, the development would not have “significant adverse effects” on the environment.