A FARM near Taunton has recently refurbished its biomass boiler, thanks to a Cornwall-based firm. 

Ignition, a Truro-based provider of asset finance, helped Newport Manor Farms, a specialist poultry business that houses 23,000 Oakham broiler chickens. 

These chickens are supplied to Marks and Spencer via Hood 2 Sisters, and adheres to the Better Chicken Commitment. This means the chickens are fed a multigrain diet and have more space, pecking aids and perches to encourage natural behaviour.

The birds benefit from drier heat provided by a wood chip biomass boiler, which was installed ten years ago. 

Rebecca Horsington runs Newport Manor Farms with her husband, Simon. 

“It was definitely the right decision to install a biomass boiler, as the birds prefer the drier heat, and as a business it reduces our impact on the environment," she said.

"We also continue to benefit from payments via the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme. However, after 10 years, the system needed updating and Ignition offered to help us finance it.

“This is the second time we’ve used Ignition’s services, and follows the installation of solar panels on the broiler house last summer. Once again, we’ve been really impressed with the service. The team are pleasant and approachable, and the whole process has been very straightforward.”

Ignition provides support to businesses by financing a wide range of assets from vehicles and machinery to business equipment and renewable energy.  It was able to assist Newport Manor Farms with a hire purchase agreement to spread the cost of updating and refurbishing the boiler’s pipe works and pumps.

Eleanor Smith, from Ignition, added: “It was a pleasure to assist Rebecca and Simon with finance for the solar energy system last year, and again with the biomass boiler refurbishment this year.

"These measures highlight Newport Manor Farms’ exemplary, long-term commitment to promoting animal welfare and reducing its environmental impact.”