Decision on 'megafarm' pushed back to late autumn

Chickens would be reared in sheds built identically to those at the company’s other sites

A decision on whether one of the UK's biggest industrial farms will be given the go-ahead has been pushed back until late autumn.

Food producer Cranswick wants to expand an existing site at Methwold, Norfolk, so it can rear millions of chickens and tens of thousands of pigs a year.

West Norfolk Council said it had received an unprecedented 10,000 letters objecting to the proposal, described as a megafarm.

Cranswick said it was a “sustainable, modern farm” and would help deliver affordable produce, create jobs and boost the local economy.

Each of Cranswick's chicken sheds would hold about 43,000 chickens

The proposal to house 870,000 chickens and 14,000 pigs at connected sites in Methwold and Feltwell has caused controversy in the rural communities surrounding the site, due to concerns about pollution and traffic problems.

A decision on the planning application was due from the council early this summer, but has now been put back so the food giant can provide further environmental reports about the possible impact of the farms.

A spokeswoman for the council said it was "rare" to have received such a high number of comments, although she added it was a unique situation because of the scale of the application.

Animal rights groups have urged supporters to back their campaign against the megafarm.

Terry Jermy, the MP for South West Norfolk, said: “The size and nature of the application is unsettling enough for the local community but the delay with the planning process is causing further concern and anxiety.

“I have heard how this delay is impacting residents and their wellbeing during a recent visit."

The old chicken sheds that would be replaced on the site in Methwold