Controversial pig farm plans rejected

Villagers have made hundreds of complaints about the smell from Cherry Tree Farm

A firm running a controversial pig farm which has attracted hundreds of complaints over smell has been refused retrospective planning permission for the site.

Breckland Council said Cranswick, one of the UK's largest meat producers, had failed to provide a key document about its farm at Stow Bedon, Norfolk.

It said that without an environmental impact assessment, permission could not be granted for pig sheds built four years ago.

Cranswick said it had previously supplied "all the information required" and it was working with the council regarding the plan for the site.

Earlier this year, the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) objected to the plans on the basis that the sheds had "harmful environmental effects".

Communities Against Factory Farming (CAFF), which has campaigned against the farm, said it welcomed the decision because "this development has caused years of needless hardship and distress" for nearby residents.

After being given initial planning permission, Cranswick expanded its site in 2021 so it could house 7,000 pigs.

However, instead of constructing solid walls for its pig sheds, "flexible curtain walls" were erected, which is why the firm had to seek retrospective permission.

Since then, hundreds of complaints have been lodged about smells from the farm, with Stow Bedon Parish Council warning of "foul odours, ammonia pollution and dangerous particulate waste".

Refusing permission, the council said it had not been sent an environmental impact assessment, and could not "conclude that the proposals would not have a significant environmental impact".

Maya Pardo, from CAFF, said the firm "had years to prepare" the document.

"The toll on the local community from this farm can't be overstated," she added.

"This development has caused years of needless hardship and distress."

'The issues are so fundamental'

A spokesman for Cranswick insisted it did "provide all the information required for this planning application at the time of the original submission in 2021 but the council has taken more the four years to review the application".

He added: "We are in the process of updating the information that has now been requested and are working with Breckland Council regarding the plan for the site."

In its refusal notice, the council said it had "acted positively and proactively", discussing its concerns with Cranswick.

"However, the issues are so fundamental to the proposal that it has not been possible to negotiate a satisfactory solution."

Cranswick can appeal the decision.