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Council upholds objection to mega pig farm scheme in Foston Council upholds objection to mega pig farm scheme in Foston
(3 months later)
Controversial plans to build a US-style mega pig farm in South Derbyshire suffered a major setback on Tuesday after the local council upheld its previous objections to the scheme.Controversial plans to build a US-style mega pig farm in South Derbyshire suffered a major setback on Tuesday after the local council upheld its previous objections to the scheme.
At a meeting of its planning committee, members of South Derbyshire district council refused to back down on their opposition to a new pig farm at Foston. The decision came despite further lobbying, including a visit the previous day organised by the developer Midland Pig Producers (MPP) of the site and its flagship farm in Needwood, Staffordshire.At a meeting of its planning committee, members of South Derbyshire district council refused to back down on their opposition to a new pig farm at Foston. The decision came despite further lobbying, including a visit the previous day organised by the developer Midland Pig Producers (MPP) of the site and its flagship farm in Needwood, Staffordshire.
Opponents of the farm hailed the decision as bad news for the project. The council's unwavering view is bound to influence the final decision by Derbyshire county council, which is expected over the summer.Opponents of the farm hailed the decision as bad news for the project. The council's unwavering view is bound to influence the final decision by Derbyshire county council, which is expected over the summer.
MPP applied for permission three years ago to build the farm – which could house up to 25,000 animals – on a 30-acre greenfield site west of the historic village of Foston and adjoining a women's prison. If approved, the project will house 2,500 sows and offspring in a state-of-the-art unit, producing 1,000 pigs a week for sale.MPP applied for permission three years ago to build the farm – which could house up to 25,000 animals – on a 30-acre greenfield site west of the historic village of Foston and adjoining a women's prison. If approved, the project will house 2,500 sows and offspring in a state-of-the-art unit, producing 1,000 pigs a week for sale.
During the twists and turns of the lengthy planning application, it has attracted huge opposition – including more than 20,000 objections from all over the world by letters, e-mail and e-petitions - as well as criticism from celebrity opponents. In addition to human health concerns raised by government health officials, farming campaign groups such as the Soil Association and Friends of the Earth have warned it could herald the beginning of bigger factory farming projects in the pig, poultry and dairy sector.During the twists and turns of the lengthy planning application, it has attracted huge opposition – including more than 20,000 objections from all over the world by letters, e-mail and e-petitions - as well as criticism from celebrity opponents. In addition to human health concerns raised by government health officials, farming campaign groups such as the Soil Association and Friends of the Earth have warned it could herald the beginning of bigger factory farming projects in the pig, poultry and dairy sector.
The consultation period was extended to take account of minimal revisions to the original application, which include the withdrawal of a picnic area.The consultation period was extended to take account of minimal revisions to the original application, which include the withdrawal of a picnic area.
The councillors' main concerns were that the size of the project was not in keeping with the surrounding area; the project would negatively affect a listed building (Foston Hall, part of HMP Foston) and the fear of local residents for their health along with significantly increased traffic.The councillors' main concerns were that the size of the project was not in keeping with the surrounding area; the project would negatively affect a listed building (Foston Hall, part of HMP Foston) and the fear of local residents for their health along with significantly increased traffic.
Campaigners against the scheme welcomed the news. Jim Davies, of the Foston & Scropton Action Group (FSAG) which has been leading the campaign against the application for over three years, said: "We are pleased that the district council has voted to uphold their previous decision to oppose this application. This further undermines the legitimacy of the project, confirming that it has been hastily constructed without adequate consideration of important issues affecting locals. This is a big setback for MPP. We have to ask: how could the county council now give permission to an application opposed twice by the district council? The message is clear: this development is not wanted by the community"Campaigners against the scheme welcomed the news. Jim Davies, of the Foston & Scropton Action Group (FSAG) which has been leading the campaign against the application for over three years, said: "We are pleased that the district council has voted to uphold their previous decision to oppose this application. This further undermines the legitimacy of the project, confirming that it has been hastily constructed without adequate consideration of important issues affecting locals. This is a big setback for MPP. We have to ask: how could the county council now give permission to an application opposed twice by the district council? The message is clear: this development is not wanted by the community"
Peter Melchett, policy director of the Soil Association, said: "Almost four years on from the original planning proposal, local residents are still living with uncertainty. The Soil Association opposed this large scale intensive pig farm due to the human health impacts this particular farming system could have on the local community. Recently, new evidence for negative impacts on human health from large scale livestock systems has been published, with the chief medical officer acknowledging the problems of antibiotic resistance in humans and linking this to intensive livestock farming. The growing problem was raised at the recent G8 meeting."Peter Melchett, policy director of the Soil Association, said: "Almost four years on from the original planning proposal, local residents are still living with uncertainty. The Soil Association opposed this large scale intensive pig farm due to the human health impacts this particular farming system could have on the local community. Recently, new evidence for negative impacts on human health from large scale livestock systems has been published, with the chief medical officer acknowledging the problems of antibiotic resistance in humans and linking this to intensive livestock farming. The growing problem was raised at the recent G8 meeting."
MPP is one of the largest pig production companies in the UK, producing over 100,000 pigs each year from 30 farms in eight counties and employing over 150 people. It promises that at least 20 jobs will be created and throughout the local area as associated contracts are fulfilled.MPP is one of the largest pig production companies in the UK, producing over 100,000 pigs each year from 30 farms in eight counties and employing over 150 people. It promises that at least 20 jobs will be created and throughout the local area as associated contracts are fulfilled.
A spokesperson for MPP said: "We are aware that South Derbyshire district council rejected our amended plans for a pig farm at Foston at a meeting last night but we not surprised at the outcome. However, the decision whether to grant the planning application is that of Derbyshire county council and SDDC's recommendations are only part of the process. We are aware that a handful of local people are opposing the plans, but the vast majority of those objecting are not local residents. As we have pointed out previously, we have never expected to have the support of those activists who do not eat meat. We are currently ensuring that Derbyshire county council has all the information it needs in order to make its decision."A spokesperson for MPP said: "We are aware that South Derbyshire district council rejected our amended plans for a pig farm at Foston at a meeting last night but we not surprised at the outcome. However, the decision whether to grant the planning application is that of Derbyshire county council and SDDC's recommendations are only part of the process. We are aware that a handful of local people are opposing the plans, but the vast majority of those objecting are not local residents. As we have pointed out previously, we have never expected to have the support of those activists who do not eat meat. We are currently ensuring that Derbyshire county council has all the information it needs in order to make its decision."
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