Frustration for pig producer as delays over planning continue
DEVELOPERS seeking to build a pig farm in Foston admit they are "frustrated" at how long it is taking for the application to be decided.
Midland Pig Producers wants to build the farm for up to 25,000 animals, west of Woodland Drive in Foston.
-
Martin Barker, managing director of Midlands Pig Producers, is pictured with some of the sows and piglets his company produces. Inset: Protests near the proposed pig farm site.
The proposal has attracted more than 20,000 objections from all over the world by letter, e-mail or signatures on petitions.
Among the concerns are animal welfare, risk to human health and the spread of disease.
****Best Deals**** Van Insurance for 17-24 Yr Old Drivers - Contact Insure365 on 01782 898188 for a quotation, Free Legal Protection Included Valued at £25.00!
Terms: 1 Voucher Per Customer
Contact: 01782 898188
Valid until: Tuesday, June 25 2013
Midland Pig Producers first submitted an application to South Derbyshire District Council in April 2010, only to be told months later that it was a matter for Derbyshire County Council.
The company then re-submitted its plans to the Matlock-based authority in March 2011.
Eighteen months have since elapsed – but still no date has been set by the county council for when it will decide whether or not to give the strongly-opposed plans the go-ahead.
A spokeswoman for the Tory-led authority said the council had requested further information about the plans, which it was yet to receive.
Martin Barker, managing director of Midland Pig Producers, said he had no power over the delays.
He said: "Because it's quite a new concept, the application process has not been straight forward. Essentially, there are four different ways of submitting information to the Environment Agency, which has to be satisfied with our plans for approval.
"There's been quite a lot of change in personnel at the Environment Agency. Every time there's been a change we've been told to do something different in terms of our application.
"One person has said 'you need to do it like this' and then someone else has come along and said 'no, you need to do it differently'.
"That has happened a few times and it has meant the process has dragged on and on. It has been frustrating – but I'd like to stress we're working with the Environment Agency, rather than against it."
Mr Barker said the "very thorough" application process was "a good thing".
"It shows we have done everything we possibly can to appease people's concerns about it," he said.
"Once the Environment Agency is happy with the application, it will be over to Derbyshire County Council to make a decision on whether it gets planning consent. One process has to trigger the other and there's nothing we can do to speed it up.
"We think a conclusion to the Environment Agency aspect is imminent.
"We're happy for conditions to be placed on us as part of any such planning consent, so we're hopeful of getting the go-ahead from the county council before too long, although I can't guarantee that will be the case."
The Environment Agency said it was unable to comment at present.
Comments
by hollyhobbit
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 3:50PM
“How can he stand there and look so proud!”
by Andrew_Ilson
Saturday, October 06 2012, 7:34PM
“Look at the conditions these pigs are kept in Dave. Battery pigs that will never see daylight. Disgusting.”
by dave15248
Saturday, October 06 2012, 1:17PM
“Andrew, ask him if you can buy one of his pigs and save it from being slaughtered....you can call it Benny Bongo and love and care for it !!!”
by Andrew_Ilson
Saturday, October 06 2012, 9:17AM
“Martin Barker should be arrested for cruelty to animals.”