Parts of 'megafarm' plans 'unlawful', says WWF

If approved, the industrial farm will rear millions of chickens each year

Lawyers representing a global wildlife charity are calling "unlawful" elements of a planning application for one of the UK's largest industrial farms.

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has submitted a letter to West Norfolk Council (WNC), claiming the environmental impact of the farming complex had not been properly assessed.

Cranswick, the food company, has applied to construct two sites housing 14,000 pigs and 870,000 chickens on land straddling Methwold and Feltwell, which would be one of the biggest facilities in Europe.

The food company said it would be a modern facility producing affordable food to high animal welfare standards.

However, it has faced a swell of opposition from locals, environmental groups and animal welfare charities.

The WWF's intervention was the latest attempt to oppose the farms.

Cranswick wants to pull down existing poultry sheds and build 20 new ones

Jake White, head of legal advocacy at WWF-UK, called the two environmental statements submitted by the food firm "unlawful" as they "fail to provide the public and WNC with full knowledge of the environmental costs of the projects".

He highlighted a number of factors that WWF believed were omitted or not properly assessed.

They included the effect the site would have on the climate due to its carbon emissions, the cumulative effects of intensive farming sites in the region, and the risk of nutrient pollution and harm to water quality.

The facility would be situated close to groundwater sources and rare chalk streams.

The WWF said it hoped the assessment would address their concerns.

Cranswick is currently conducting a third assessment into the extent of pollution the farms would create.

The company said it was working with the council and specialist advisers to finalise its planning application, which would address the concerns raised by WWF. It plans to issue a further update soon.

The controversy over the environmental statements delayed a decision on the scheme, which was originally due in the summer.

WNC planners are expected to assess the bid by late autumn.