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Councillors set to approve indoor farm despite major opposition

Councillors set to approve indoor farm despite major opposition

Councillors set to approve indoor farm despite major opposition

Despite facing significant opposition from animal welfare charity PETA, Doncaster Council is set to approve plans for an indoor pig farm in Sprotbrough.

The council has also received over 470 objections from residents including Doncaster North MP Ed Miliband.

They have cited reasons including concerns over odour, traffic, general farming practice and an increase in vermin.

But councillors have said they see no reason why the indoor rearing farm, which would house up to 1,000 animals, should not be approved, stating that they “do not have clear evidence” that the proposed unit would significantly impact on greenhouse gas emissions.

Planning officer Jessica Duffield added:

“The proposal is considered in the context of the presumption in favour of sustainable development.

“Officers have identified no adverse economic, environmental or social harm that would significantly or demonstrably outweigh the benefits identified when considered against the policies in the planning framework taken as a whole.

“The proposal is compliant with the adopted development plan and adopted policies and there are no material considerations which indicate that the application should be refused.”

If approved, the site will be fully enclosed with the pigs being housed indoors at all times.

PETA has referred to the planned development as a ‘pig prison’.

“From the increase in traffic and potential environmental harm to the knowledge that thousands of sensitive pigs would suffer and die inside filthy sheds, the proposed facility would be a blight on Doncaster’s landscape and its reputation,” added PETA Senior Campaigns Manager Kate Werner.

The proposal also includes the construction of two feed silos, a rain water harvesting tank, plant storage room and concrete loading area.

Updates to follow.

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