Norfolk farm with plans to house 870,000 chickens and 14,000 pigs receives 13,000 complaints

Plans for a controversial megafarm with 870,000 chickens and 14,000 pigs have received nearly 13,000 complaints.

According to the local planning authority, the proposal for the farm, which will sit between the villages of Methwold and Feltwell, has received a “highly unusual” amount of objections.

While only eight people have written in support of the plans, the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk has received 13,362 letters from residents and campaigners in opposition to the scheme.

Locals say they are worried the massive facility will release ammonia fumes, attract flies and cause thousands of lorries to drive past homes.

One complaint read: “This type of factory farm is completely unnecessary, with very low standards of animal welfare, and will impact enormously on the local roads.”

Another objection said: “This is an area of outstanding natural beauty with SSSIs (Sites of Special Scientific Interest), SPAs (Special Protection Areas) and SACs (Special Areas of Conservation) and attracts holidaymakers bringing investment to the region.”

“This would be damaged if tourists could not bear the smell and ammonia-related reactions that come with these factories.”

“The ability to wild swim in the rivers [would be affected] due to the pollution from both the factory and from the runoff from spreading on local farms.”

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In addition to the objections from residents, campaigning groups are also angry and claim the applications for the megafarm sites are “unlawful” because they fail to provide details of expected greenhouse gas emissions.

The groups Sustain and Feedback have threatened legal action if these applications are approved, stating the farm would generate the equivalent of 120,000 tonnes of CO2 every year.

Ruth Westcott of Sustain said: “One reason for concern is that key information is missing from the planning documents, meaning we don’t know fully what the environmental impact could be”

“This megafarm simply shouldn’t go ahead. Sustainable farming is the real path to good local jobs and decent returns for farmers.”

Phill Holtam of Feedback said: “It’s absolutely right that so many are concerned and raising their concerns directly with the council.”

“Not only will the megafarm lead to local impact in terms of air and water quality, waste, odour and traffic, but there will be inevitable and significant climate harm from the massive volumes of feed required to rear many thousands of animals.”

Cranswick has said it acknowledged the complaints, previously releasing a statement that read: “After construction, the requirements for the operating permit changed and, in dialogue with the EA and local authority, the changes were implemented.”

“We continue to work closely with the EA who confirm we operate within the agreed parameters of the permit relating to the local environment.”