ABOUT 11,000 objections have been lodged against plans for a massive pig farm in Derbyshire.

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

But a public consultation has seen 11,000 representations made to the authority either via letter, e-mail or petition.

The vast majority are understood to be objections.

A list drawn up by the council, outlining the main objections, shows animal welfare, risk to human health and the spread of disease are among the major concerns.

Campaigners opposing the plans say it would not be possible to properly maintain animal welfare on such a large site.

And groups including the Soil Association, which campaigns for organic farming, claim the risk of disease increases when so many pigs are kept together.

Protesters said they were delighted at the number of objections.

Sue Weston, 43, lives with her family next door to the site in Foston earmarked for the pig farm.

She said: "This clearly shows public opinion. It's only the applicant that stands to gain."

Jim Davies, of Scropton and Foston Community Group, said the final figure could be even higher.

He said: "There was an online petition that collected 6,500 names that I don't believe has been counted yet.

"I think it is a fantastic response and has show up the level of concern about public health."

A Midland Pig Producers spokeswoman queried exactly who had objected and why.

She said: "How many of the people objecting to our proposals have actually read the planning application which contains a great many facts and accurate details, particularly about animal welfare?

"This might explain why the professional animal welfare groups have not objected but vegetarian and other activist groups have."

She added that the number of animals on a site at one time had "no bearing on disease, which is controlled by hygiene, welfare and good management".

A county council spokeswoman said the public consultation had officially finished but that the authority would continue to accept comments until a report on the matter was complete.

She added: "We expect to take a report to (planning) committee some time in the autumn."