'Obnoxious' pig farm plan fails to win backing from councillors
PLANS for an "obnoxious" pig farm in Foston have taken a blow after South Derbyshire councillors agreed to voice their objections to the scheme.
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.
But a public consultation received thousands of objections and people living nearby say they are concerned about animal welfare and the spread of disease.
Now the proposals have been slated once more, after South Derbyshire District Council's planning board last night rejected a recommendation that the authority offer no objection to the scheme when it is decided by the county council.
Councillor Trevor Southerd, who represents Church Gresley, argued the development was not a pig farm.
He said: "I have seen farms in Yorkshire where pigs can run free. That is clearly not what this will be.
"For the people living 100m away to have another Hadrian's Wall built between them and this development is frankly obnoxious, as will the smells coming from it, probably."
Yesterday, the Derby Telegraph reported that the Soil Association, which campaigns for organic farming, has claimed comments made about intensive pig farming by the Health Protection Agency may be a "fatal blow" to the plan.
The agency has not formally objected to the plans but has written to the county council with concerns.
At last night's meeting, Councillor Amy Plenderleith, who represents Hilton, said: "I believe this will dominate the landscape to the detriment of the local area. The smell and noise will impact negatively on residents."
Planning officer Tim Denning told the meeting that three separate measures would be put in place to deal with any possible odour.
He said: "The building will be flushed every 48 hours, which will have a significant impact on any smells produced. Any remaining air will be forced through a filter to trap any odours left."
But councillors were unanimous in their decision to refuse to make no objection and a decision is expected from the county council later this year.
A spokesperson for Midland Pig Producers said: "The decision will be made by Derbyshire County Council's planning committee.
"We are aware that a handful of local people are opposing the plans, but the vast majority of those objecting are not local residents.
"We are currently ensuring that Derbyshire County Council has all the information it needs in order to make its decision."
2 Comments
by hangonatick
Friday, November 04 2011, 8:31AM
“Actually, if you look deeper into this story - and it deserves a deeper look rather than just accepting all the emotive half truths flying around - this is a big move in the right direction for farming pigs. You might not like it but it IS going the right way. Compassion in World Farming was involved in the design of the piggery. The vast amount of pig farming is inside but this proposal has straw bedding, more room and a number of new high welfare practices. Don't write it off. There's an awful lot worse abroad and if we don't increase pigmeat production in the UK we will end up importing more with far worse welfare standards. I would advise you look at their website and research both sides of the argument. You might say they have a vested interest, but so do those opposing it so it's worth doing your own research and forming a balanced view.”
by bercol
Wednesday, November 02 2011, 8:33PM
“From the story this "farm" appears to be the equivalent of a hen battery farm, with pigs crammed up in small cages for their short life - if so, it needs banning on animal welfare grounds alone, along with the residents objections forcing the refusal to build.”