PROTESTERS against a massive pig farm planned for Foston say they still believe the Environment Agency could be their "saviour" despite withdrawing its objection to the plans.

Midland Pig Producers has applied to Derbyshire County Council for permission to build the farm, which could house up to 25,000 animals, west of Woodland Drive, Foston.

But a public consultation has received thousands of objections. People living nearby say they are concerned about animal welfare and the spread of disease.

Now the Environment Agency has withdrawn an objection it had made to the plans on the basis that the site could pollute groundwater.

But Jim Davies, of Scropton and Foston Community Group, which is fighting the plans, said this was "no major setback".

He said this was because the agency would have to decide whether to grant the site an operating permit if it got planning permission.

He said: "They have only considered the basic outline of the proposal. The real issues surrounding the genuine risks to human health have yet to be considered and that could be a new ball game."

An Environment Agency spokeswoman confirmed that it would be taking local views into account if has to decide on the permit and that it would "review the effects of the farm on the environment".

An agency statement said its original objection was because of because of "the underground storage of potentially hazardous pollutants potentially below the water table".

But it withdrew this after it found out that the substances were not classed as "hazardous" and that the storage area would be regularly inspected to "confirm its integrity".

A Midland Pig Producers spokeswoman said the firm was "naturally pleased" with the decision which shows the agency "agrees that the plans for the pig farm meet the necessary standards and regulations".

South Derbyshire District Council is set to make a final decision on whether it will object to the plans at a meeting on Tuesday.