Live updates as Cranswick megafarm plans for Feltwell and Methwold come to a head
Environmental issues and the potential loss of jobs have been among the key issues discussed at today’s Cranswick hearing.
A special planning committee meeting is currently determining whether Cranswick can construct two huge farms in Methwold and Feltwell.
The company says it would erect 20 “state-of-the-art poultry sheds” each housing 35,700 chickens, and would also play host to 14,000 pigs.
Click here to read our full preview of the meeting.
The proposals have generated widespread criticism from residents, environmental groups and wildlife charities - but the company insists it would comply with welfare standards while boosting UK food security.
West Norfolk Council officers have recommended the schemes be refused, but there are sure to be more twists and turns throughout today.
The meeting started 9.30am.
ARGUMENTS AGAINST
South West Norfolk MP Terry Jermy has been among those to speak against the plans so far.
He said: “It is fair to say that these applications are among the most contentious that South West Norfolk has ever seen.”
He said there have been “significant objections” from five parish councils - and argued that despite having three years to supply environmental data, Cranswick has failed to do so.
“This is either by design or because, simply, they are unable to do so,” he added.
Cllr Martin French, the chair of Methwold Parish Council, said: “I am trying to put this as nicely as I can - the feelings are running very very high with residents in Methwold.
“We are, within the community, very concerned about about the environmental impact of these needless developments.
“We would really, really plead with you to reject these two applications. Please, please refuse it.”
CRANSWICK HAS ITS SAY
Barry Lock, representing Cranswick, has argued that the farms will help to improve British food security.
“Fundamentally, I think we would all agree that we need to produce more British food,” he said.
He also claimed that many of the 12,000-plus objections to the schemes have come from outwith South West Norfolk - with some even coming from Rome and Lisbon.
Mr Lock also defended Cranswick’s environmental record, as well as its animal welfare plans.
He was backed by Dr Jason Aldiss, representing the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers, who steadfastly said: “This is not a megafarm.”
“The site is not only environmentally responsible - it is leading the way,” he added.
Nick Allen, representing the British Meat Processors Association, quoted former South West Norfolk MP Liz Truss by saying “it is a disgrace” that Britain is so reliant on foreign meat.
PROTESTORS GATHER AHEAD OF MEETING
Many have gathered on Lynn’s Saturday Market Place, close to the town hall, where the meeting will be held, showing their opposition to the proposals.
Protestors, in front of a sign saying “special protection areas must be protected”, held placards with slogans such as “scrap factory farming”, “say no to Cranswick” and “yes to farms, no to factories”.
Among them was Jane Tredgett who said: “We’re from Scrap Factory Farming and there are so many reasons why we really should not be going down the route of building more factory farms.
“They’re really cruel to the animals. They’re bad for the environment and for nature and they’re really dangerous for people.
“The next pandemic could easily come from this factory farm, and it’ll make Covid-19 look like a walk in the park.
“Avian flew is still circulating. In this site, you’re mixing pigs and birds and people, and that’s an absolute recipe for disaster because they can mix new versions of the virus, and it could just spread like wildfire.”
She added that the group was there supporting local residents, as they would be the ones who would feel one of the direct impacts.
“You can get respiratory problems from living near factory farms, plus all the noise, the smells, the traffic,” Jane said.
“So we're really here to support them, but it's great for them that there's so many people here.
“I imagine if it gets rejected they probably will appeal, so it won't be the end of the journey, unfortunately, but it will send shockwaves through the industry that things are not going to continue business as usual, things do have to change.
“So that would be absolutely an immense achievement if it got stopped today.”
Meanwhile, Bini Pitwell said: “This is a sign as well of a broken system, especially with the planning legislation, because these megafarms are all getting approved.
“There's been 15,000 objections and 42,000 signed petitions and it's still made it this far.
“So this needs to change as well. This is very symbolic today of highlighting the broken system that is going on.”
THE MEETING CONTINUES
Councillors are set to debate the applications now, with a final decision expected this afternoon.
Make sure to keep coming back to this story for live updates.
Additional reporting by Molly Nicholas
