A PROTESTER has hailed ‘a victory for common sense’ after controversial plans for a pig farm in South Derbyshire were withdrawn — though the applicant has vowed to fight on.
The proposed 30-acre development by Midland Pig Producers (MPP), which would house up to as many as 26,000 pigs in Foston, attracted furious opposition from residents.
It prompted more than 2,800 objections and just one letter of support, and also led to a dozen activists from Vegetarians International Voice for Animals (VIVA) turning up outside South Derbyshire District Council’s offices in Civic Way, Swadlincote, with pig masks, animal cages and placards.
The demonstration led the council to request further information from the applicant about noise, odours, ecology and archaeology, and a reconsultation was launched.
Plans for the farm had included a feed mill, hoppers, mess block, water treatment buildings together with storage buildings, service building, methane gas storage tanks supplying an electricity generation facility and incorporating a visitor centre.
The application also included room for four agricultural workers’ homes with garages, landscaping, a rainwater retention area with site parking facilities, weighbridges and security fencing.
However, while a spokesman for MPP confirmed the withdrawal, the group now aims to submit its application to Derbyshire County Council, claiming it had received advice that its bid was a “county planning matter”.
Justin Kirswell, campaigns manager for VIVA, said: “I am very pleased plans have been withdrawn. If it had gone ahead it would have set a dangerous precedent for large-scale farms being built close to communities.
“We worried that natural gases next to a high residential area and a women’s prison is a disaster waiting to happen.
“It is a victory for common sense and for people power.
“It is disappointing that they will resubmit their application. The people of South Derbyshire and ourselves have been kept in the dark as to why this will go to a different authority.
“We will keep on fighting against it for the same reasons. This hasn’t changed anything.”
A spokesman for MPP said: “It is correct we have withdrawn the application submitted to the district council, in acknowledgement of Derbyshire County Council’s recent view that this is a county planning matter. We will therefore be submitting the planning application for this development directly to the county council as soon as is practicable.”
