Council for the Rural Municipality of Hanover has given the nod to allow a chicken operation northwest of New Bothwell to expand in size.

Millenni Egg owns nearly 79 acres along Provincial Road 311. The company proposed expanding the poultry operation by constructing a single free run pullet barn towards the north end of the property. An additional three free run layer barns would be constructed east of the existing lagoon. If approved, the existing barn would be torn down and the lagoon decommissioned. Dry manure storage buildings would then be constructed to contain all manure on the site.

The operation currently has 160,000 pullet chickens. The expansion would result in a change to the operation. It would eventually see 135,000 layer hens and 45,000 pullets.

The proposal did not find favour from all nearby residents. In a letter to Hanover Council, Iain Shepherd shared his concerns and officially opposed the plan. He says these barns will increase demand on the aquifer, create more odour and negatively impact property value.

The Bothwell Chamber of Commerce also noted a number of concerns. A petition was presented to Council with 68 signatures. Concerns included the fact this operation is so close to an upcoming subdivision, odour and waste.

At a public hearing, there were further concerns raised. Evan Schroeder, owner of Splatters Paintball to the east, expressed apprehension, noting his business brings in a lot of tourists from Winnipeg and he is concerned how this large increase in operation might impact visits.

According to Hanover Administration, a letter submitted by Millenni Egg addresses some of the concerns raised during the public consultation period. In addition to other concerns, they address spread acres within proximity of New Bothwell. Based on the comments and a re-evaluation of their spread acres, they have secured additional spread acres so that they will not need to spread near the community.

Hanover Council approved the application. But first, New Bothwell area Councillor Travis Doerksen asked that the municipality include a condition that the applicant enter into a development agreement.

"Council this time passed the resolution with a development agreement whereby we can actually hold their feet to the fire and make them carry out their promises, just like in a development agreement," notes Reeve Stan Toews. "Because if they don't do certain steps they don't get building permits."

"That's the number one concern, is looking after our town," adds Doerksen. "I see no reason why they can't farm where they farm."