Boston Borough Council has approved plans for a major extension to the Annyalla Chicks UK Ltd facility in Butterwick, granting full planning permission on 19 November 2025 for the development at the company’s Mill Lane site. The approval follows the submission of a detailed planning application in September by agent K D Design (Lincolnshire) Ltd and comes after no objections were received from residents, consultees or councillors.
The approved extension will infill a three-sided concrete courtyard on the northern side of the existing hatchery buildings. The structure will measure approximately 49 metres by 30 metres, with a roof height of 7.8 metres, and will be constructed using materials that match the current facility. The design will bring certain outdoor washing and processing activities indoors, expand existing wash and hygiene areas, and enable a more efficient production operation. The development is expected to increase staff numbers from around 50 to 60 full-time employees and result in a modest rise in HGV movements, up from seven to nine vehicles over the next two to three years.
When the application was first submitted, Boston VIBE reported that the proposals aimed to increase production capacity by up to 60% while keeping all existing access, parking, and drainage arrangements the same. The officer report confirms these details and notes that Annyalla Chicks has a long-standing planning history dating back to 2001, with various expansions and improvements made over the years to support its operations.
The council’s assessment concluded that the development will have no unacceptable impact on the character of the countryside, on nearby properties, or on local highways. The extension will be largely unseen from public viewpoints, shielded by existing buildings and mature landscaping. Residential properties on Mill Lane, Homers Lane, and to the north of the site are sufficiently separated and screened to avoid any issues with overlooking, overshadowing or outlook. Noise levels are also not expected to rise, as the extension will bring some external activities indoors.
Although the site lies within Flood Zone 3, the Environment Agency raised no objection, noting that the proposal does not increase the amount of impermeable surface. The building will replace existing hardstanding, and the Lead Local Flood Authority confirmed the development would not increase surface water flood risk. The decision notice includes flood-related advisory notes from the Environment Agency and drainage requirements from the Witham Fourth District Internal Drainage Board.
Lincolnshire County Council also confirmed it had no concerns regarding highway safety, given the modest increase in vehicle movements and the extensive existing parking provision on site. Biodiversity Net Gain does not apply to the scheme, as the development area consists entirely of concrete and meets the criteria for the statutory de minimis exemption.
The council’s decision grants full planning permission subject to two conditions: that the development must begin within three years, and that it must be carried out in accordance with all approved plans and documents, including the agent’s drainage details. Several informatives relating to drainage, flood resilience and sewerage connection are also attached to the approval.
With the green light now secured, Annyalla Chicks UK Ltd can proceed with its expansion plans, marking another chapter of growth for one of Butterwick’s significant agricultural employers.
