Parish council votes against plans for 'megafarm'

Five million chickens would be reared every year if the extension in Methwold is build

A parish council has voted against a proposal to build an extension to a large farm in a village.

The food producer Cranswick applied to expand its existing site in Methwold, Norfolk, so it could rear millions of chickens and tens of thousands of pigs every year.

The unanimous vote by Methwold Parish Council will be taken into consideration when a final planning decision is made by Kings Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council next year.

The company said it was disappointed by the outcome of the vote.

About 100 people attended the parish council meeting on Thursday

During the parish council meeting on Thursday, members of the public expressed concerns over the plans for the extension, which is referred to locally as a 'megafarm'.

Issues were raised about the effect on the local environment and impact on traffic in the area if the plans were approved.

Martin French, the chairman of the parish council, said whilst "emotions are running high" about the project, the debate was "well disciplined".

The parish council does not make the final decision over whether planning permission was approved.

Following its vote, the parish council will write to the borough council to ask it to reject the application.

When asked if he believed tonight's vote would make a difference to the outcome, Mr French said, "I believe it will".

An artist's impression of the 20 chicken sheds that Cranswick is proposing to build

There was no representative from Cranswick at the meeting, but a spokesperson for the company said it was "disappointed" that the council voted against the proposed redevelopment.

The company, which supplies meat to major supermarkets, added the planning application was "robust" and had been "carefully considered".

"Redeveloping farms such as this is vital to ensure the production of sustainable and affordable food and ensuring long-term security for the supply of British food," the spokesperson added.

After the meeting members of the public that attended said they were relieved the parish council voted to object to the plans.

Alison Webb said that, if the plans were approved, she was concerned people who have bought houses in the area would not able to enjoy the "space they invested so much money in" because of the smell emitted from the farm.

As he left the meeting, Wayne Bland said it was "brilliant that everyone has got together to do this".

"It is a demonstration from all the local towns and villages that this should not happen."

The Cranswick spokesperson said: "We have launched a detailed website which outlines more of the details of the plan and aims to address some of the concerns raised by the local community."