CONTROVERSIAL plans for a 1,000 place pig farm that was rejected by a planning committee earlier this year has been called in by a planning inspector.

Owners of Colburn Grange Farm, Colburn, have appealed against the decision by Richmondshire District Council planning committee in February to prevent the build of the large-scale finishing unit, because of its proximity to residential areas and a primary school.

Appellant Martin Wood has prepared his appeal and an independent planning inspector will consider the case by written representations.

Ian Pick, agent for the farmer, said in the appeal application: “The business sectors in which JD&MC Wood operate are under significant financial pressure, with combinable cropping suffering from depressed commodity prices, with wheat for example trading at well below the cost of production.

“In order to secure the long-term future of the business and support the existing agricultural operations, diversification of the business into new profitable enterprise is essential.”

The proposed building had been designed with a slatted floor and sealed concrete slurry container below. The slurry was to be spread on to farmland using an injection system to reduce the smell of ammonia.

Some Colburn residents have said they are dismayed at the appeal, with major concerns being the potential for odours, disease, rats, flies, and water run-off from the farm to Colburn Primary School playing fields, about 400m away.

Derek Robinson, from Colburn, said he was angry to hear about the appeal and said as a former pig farmer he believes the bad smell could not be prevented.

“My daughter’s garden backs onto the farm and the town’s children go to that school – I just can’t believe it would be considered,” he said.

“The farmer says the smells can be controlled and that slurry can be spread into the fields, but as someone who has grown up around pigs and reared them, I know it just isn’t true. The smell would be terrible, there’s no getting around it.”

But Mr Pick said the National Planning Policy Framework was on the applicant’s side.

“It provides support for economic growth in rural areas, providing clear support for the proposed development as farm diversification and sustainable growth and expansion of businesses in rural areas.

“The Environment Agency has offered no objections to the proposed development, subject to conditions designed to protect amenity.”

Comments for or against the appeal can be sent to Richmondshire District Council by Thursday, October 8 via http://planning.richmondshire.gov.uk/online-applications, 01748 829100 or Mercury House, Station Road, Richmond, DL10 4JX.