LANDOWNERS near Sedgefield are seeking permission to develop a greenfield site into a pig farm housing almost 2,000 animals at a time.

SR and BA Harris of, Sprucely Farm, between Sedgefield and Bishop Middleham, have submitted two applications to construct two buildings to accommodate the pig rearing and finishing operation on their land.

With a preliminary agreement with a pig production contractor in place, the applicant is proposing to build two units to the west of the existing farm which would house 950 pigs each on a straw-based “high-welfare” rearing system.

Piglets would be delivered to the site after weaning at 28 days old and would be reared until the age of 20 weeks.

They would be reared from 7kg to the finishing weight of 105kg, at which point they would be removed from the site.

According to planning documents submitted to Durham County Council, the applicant is branching out to secure the family business for future generations.

Speaking on behalf of the applicant, agent Ian Pick Associates states: “Given the nature and extent of the agricultural enterprise, the business has an essential need to diversify in order to remain a sustainable and economically viable agricultural enterprise.

“Agricultural operations extending to 106 acres of arable land can no longer provide the rural business with a sufficient income to cover the farm mortgage and related outgoings.”

Although it now relies solely on arable operations, the farming business operated livestock until 2014 when the units came to the “end of their useful working life”.

The buildings will be fitted with automated feeding systems and ventilation including adjustable curtains inside to control airflow.

An odour management plan has been included in planning documents which details the measures to reduce “any potential impacts”.

The applicant believes due to its remote location, the pig farm would not cause any odour nuisance or noise issues.

“The nearest sensitive receptor which is unconnected to the farm is a farm house approximately 680m to the north of the site,” the agent states.