Opposition heats up over plans for livestock ‘megafarm’ in Norfolk
Opposition heats up over plans for livestock ‘megafarm’ in Norfolk
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Environmental campaigners have criticised plans for what they call a “US-style megafarm” in Norfolk that are currently under consultation. Major livestock producer Cranswick has put forward proposals to expand a site in the village of Methwold into one of the UK’s largest industrial farms, producing millions of chickens and tens of thousands of pigs a year.
However, it has faced major opposition among locals and activists, who have urged West Norfolk Council to reject the planning application over fears the farm will lead to significant increases in emissions, threatening both local and national climate targets.
Thousands of objections have so far been lodged on grounds including waste, odour, traffic, water and air quality. During the final day of consultation on Friday, campaign groups Feedback Global and Sustain put forward a joint submission in which they argued the application contains serious flaws.
They claimed Cranswick provided an inadequate assessment of the direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions that the site would generate. The full climate impact of major developments must now be considered in planning decisions following the landmark Supreme Court ruling last year quashing Surrey Council’s planning permission for new oil wells at Horse Hill.
The planning application also comes against the backdrop of Government plans to overhaul the planning system in pursuit of economic growth, with Environment Secretary Steve Reed recently vowing to make it quicker for farmers to build infrastructure to boost food production.
