Welcome to the

Howden Eggs Hen Shed Development

Consultation Hub

CONSULTATION

Welcome to the online community consultation page for the proposed Howden Eggs Hen Shed at Howden Farm, Gifford, East Lothian.

This consultation provides information on the project proposal, environmental work and the current planning process. We want to make sure that local residents and interested parties understand the project and have an opportunity to provide feedback while the proposals are still being developed.

The project team will consider feedback received through the consultation as the design and environmental assessments progress.

Consultation Events

We are hosting two in-person public consultation events at the Fletcher Hall, East Saltoun, EH34 5DX.

Event one: Monday 28 September 2026, 3-7 pm

Event two: Monday 26 October, 2026, 3-7 pm

What is the project?

Howden Eggs Ltd is proposing to construct a single purpose-built free-range hen shed at Howden Farm to accommodate up to 64,000 laying hens. This would operate alongside the established agricultural and poultry activities already present at the farm.

The proposed building would be located on farmland north of the existing and consented poultry sheds. A new access junction and track would connect the site to the B6355. The shed would be designed and finished to match the surrounding agricultural buildings, so it integrates seamlessly into the wider farm complex.

Why is it an EIA?

This project would allow Howden Eggs Ltd to expand its existing free-range egg production operation. Given the existing poultry development in the wider area, the project is being progressed with an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) so that potential environmental effects, including cumulative effects, are properly assessed before a planning decision is made.

Benefit to the community

The proposed development will allow Howden Eggs to expand its free-range egg production while continuing to operate alongside the existing activities at Howden Farm. The investment will support continued business growth, help sustain local employment, and contribute to the farm's long-term operation. The proposal considers the surrounding community and environment, with key priorities being animal welfare and responsible farm management.

WHO'S INVOLVED?

Howden Eggs Ltd

The applicant and operator of the proposed free-range hen shed development.

Cogeo Planning & Environmental Services Ltd

Planning and environmental consultants coordinating the planning process, EIA and supporting assessments.

Redmore Environmental

Specialist consultants who have prepared the dust, ammonia and odour assessments for the proposal.

PROJECT SPECS

We are proposing one new free-range laying hen shed, three feed silos and associated access, hardstanding and landscaping. The main design parameters in development are summarised below. The design may be refined as we consider the environmental assessments and consultation feedback.

Project Specifications

Specification	Proposed Development	Summary
Development	One free-range laying hen shed	A purpose-built agricultural building forming part of the existing Howden Farm operations.
Hen Capacity	Up to 64,000 hens	The proposal would expand Howden Eggs Ltd’s existing free-range egg production.
Dimensions	218.8m L x 26.1m W x 7.32m H	A low-profile agricultural building of a similar scale and appearance to nearby poultry buildings.
External Finish	Likely RAL6005 Moss Green or similar	The colour and finish would match the surrounding sheds, so the building sits seamlessly within the farm setting.
Foundations	Concrete foundations following level works	Groundworks and hardstanding would be required to construct and service the building.
Site Access	New junction and access track from the B6355	The new access will be designed for safe construction and operational vehicle movements.
Landscaping	Biodiversity Enhancement Plan and Landscape Planting Plan	Planting and other proportionate measures will be developed to integrate the proposal into the landscape and provide biodiversity enhancement.
Construction Period	Approximately 6–8 months	The programme may vary depending on site and weather conditions.
Operational Traffic	Routine farm traffic, feed deliveries and egg collections	The main regular HGV movements are expected to be around two feed deliveries and two egg collections per week, alongside routine staff visits.

Impact on nearby properties

We have scoped the area to assess which properties may be impacted. The nearest residential property that we identified is approximately 500m from the proposed shed. We are undertaking a range of technical assessments to understand the potential effects on the neighbours as well as the wider environment:

Noise

A Noise Impact Assessment will model operational noise from equipment, ventilation and associated vehicle movements, including cumulative effects with nearby poultry developments. We are also proposing a Noise Management Plan for the project's operational phase.

Air quality and odour

Dust, ammonia and odour assessments have been undertaken. East Lothian Council’s Environmental Health Officer has accepted the findings on dust and odour, which concluded that effects on sensitive residential receptors would not be significant, provided there is no material change to the proposal. Further assessment of ammonia and nitrogen deposition will, however, be undertaken as part of the EIA following comments from SEPA and NatureScot, including consideration of potential effects on designated ecological sites.

Landscape and views

We will prepare a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) as part of the EIA. We will assess the visibility and landscape effects of the whole development, including the proposed hen shed, associated infrastructure and any landscape mitigation such as earth bunding or planting. We will also consider cumulative effects with the existing poultry sheds and wind turbine. We will prepare visualisations as part of this work.

Ecology and biodiversity

We have completed a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal. East Lothian Council’s Biodiversity Officer has confirmed that no further ecological surveys are currently required for protected species, provided the recommended mitigation measures are implemented. Further work will nevertheless be undertaken in relation to potential effects of ammonia and nitrogen deposition on designated nature conservation sites. A Biodiversity Enhancement Plan will also be prepared to identify opportunities for ecological enhancement as part of the development.

Flood risk and drainage

A Flood Risk Assessment and Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) will be prepared for the development. East Lothian Council’s Flooding Engineer has confirmed that this overall approach is appropriate and has requested a detailed surface water drainage design as part of the EIA application.

Traffic and access

We are proposing access to the development from the B6355. The Council considers that significant environmental effects on the transport network are unlikely and transport has therefore been scoped out of the EIA. We don’t expect any works to the public road. Despite this, we will provide detailed information on the proposed access arrangements and construction traffic with the planning application and discuss this with East Lothian Council Roads Services.

Cultural heritage

We will conduct a Heritage Impact Assessment as part of the EIA to consider potential effects on the setting of relevant heritage assets and cumulative effects alongside existing development. This will include an assessment of the Howden Enclosure Scheduled Monument and other heritage assets identified through the scoping process.

Interactive Map

The interactive map shows the proposed hen shed location at Howden Farm, the proposed access from the B6355 and the surrounding local context.

View Map

MAPPING

The interactive map shows the proposed hen shed location at Howden Farm, the proposed access from the B6355 and the surrounding local context.

What stage are we at?

The project is currently progressing through the planning and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) stage. East Lothian Council issued its EIA Scoping Opinion on 7 July 2026 following consultation with statutory consultees and relevant Council officers.

Cogeo’s project team is now progressing the detailed design and environmental assessments required. This includes further work on landscape and visual effects, cultural heritage, air emissions, flood risk and drainage, alongside the other supporting information required for the planning application. We will also consider feedback received through the community consultation as the proposal and planning application are being developed.

Project Documents

Location Plan	VIEW LOCATION PLAN
SITE PLAN	View PROPOSED SITE PLAN

FAQ'S

Will the development be noisy?

We will assess operational noise through a Noise Impact Assessment using recognised BS4142 methodology. The assessment will consider ventilation, equipment, deliveries and other activities, as well as cumulative effects with nearby poultry developments. A Noise Management Plan is also proposed.

Will there be smells or effects on air quality?

Dust, ammonia and odour have been assessed. East Lothian Council’s Environmental Health Officer has concluded that the dust and odour effects on nearby neighbours won’t be significant, as long as no material changes are made to the proposal. Further assessment of ammonia and nitrogen deposition will be undertaken in response to comments from SEPA and NatureScot.

Will the development affect local views?

We will evaluate the proposal's potential landscape and visual effects through a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment. We will consider views of the whole development, potential landscape mitigation and cumulative effects with existing development at Howden Farm. We will prepare visualisations as this assessment progresses.

Will wildlife be affected?

A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal has already been completed. No further protected-species surveys are currently necessary, provided the recommended mitigation measures are followed. Further assessment will, however, consider potential effects of ammonia and nitrogen deposition on designated nature conservation sites. We’ll also prepare a Biodiversity Enhancement Plan.

What about flooding and drainage?

The project team has identified areas of surface-water flood risk within parts of the development area. A Flood Risk Assessment and a SuDS drainage scheme will be prepared to manage surface water appropriately and ensure the proposal does not increase flood risk elsewhere.

Will there be more traffic?

Traffic will increase temporarily during construction. Once operational, traffic will mainly comprise routine farm visits, feed deliveries and egg collections. Traffic surveys have been undertaken, and a Traffic Management Plan, visibility splays and swept path analysis will support the planning application. HGV movements during construction will be managed to minimise effects on the local road network.

How long will construction take?

We expect construction to take approximately six to eight months, although the programme may vary depending on site and weather conditions.

What happens next?

East Lothian Council has now issued its EIA Scoping Opinion. The Cogeo project team will use the Council and consultee feedback to complete the required environmental assessments, refine the development where necessary and prepare the EIA Report and planning application. The team will also consider feedback received through this community consultation as the proposals progress.

We want to hear from you

Our consultation process keeps neighbours informed and involved in the project’s progress. If you have any questions, comments or feedback about this proposal, we’d love to hear from you.

Please complete the form below. The project team will track the comments and respond as required.

Thank you for your interest in the Howden Eggs Hen Shed development.

ENQUIRY FORM

Form Privacy Statement

By completing this form you are agreeing that we can hold and process your personal data in relation to this consultation exercise.

We will only share your personal data with the planning team for planning evaluation purposes only.
Your identifiable, personal data will not be used for any other purposes without your consent.