PLANS to bring 4,000 pigs to a County Durham farm may be changed following public outcry from people living nearby.

More than 150 people attended a public meeting to voice their concerns and ask questions about the scheme planned for Biggin House Farm, near New Brancepeth.

The application by tenant farmer Tim Bates to build two sheds to house the animals has sparked controversy, with an international petition against the proposal and more than 80 official objections.

Mr Bates attended the meeting in New Brancepeth Village Hall along with farm owner Mark Westgarth and a vet who answered questions about animal welfare at the proposed facility.

Mr Westgarth, who has a farm at Newsham, near Richmond in North Yorkshire, this week met with local residents on the site.

Keith Pullan, whose property backs onto the farm, said: “He told us he is considering relocating to another site about half a mile away, so it will be in a valley and more invisible.

“The impression given by the neighbours is that we would prefer that.

“If that happens it would be a compromise we could live with.

“It would certainly be preferable to the site he’s been looking at.”

Residents say the proposed location, which is close to Ragpeth Wood and can be seen from nearby Ushaw College, is too exposed as it would unsightly and prevailing winds would blow smells to their homes.

Some residents are also worried about the potential for pollution of the nearby River Deerness and the levels of ammonia which would be produced, with concerns raised about possible health risks and the impact on lichens in the nearby wood.

Ecology officers at Durham County Council say the proposed site is unsuitable is it is within the Deerness Valley Local Wildlife Site and is on top of existing woodland, both of which are protected through the planning process.

Officers have asked for an ecological assessment to be carried out, including impacts on protected species as well as the impact of lighting, disturbance and effluent run-off.

Mr Pullan added: “I still have real concerns about the transport. It’s not hundreds of lorries, but even three a week will make a lot of difference. There’s already quite a lot of traffic and these things are huge.”

He said: “A lot of our questions have been answered so we will have to see what will happen.

“At the moment it will be very visible but if he does move it to the other site we would all be happier.”

The scheme would be an extension to Mr Westgarth’s existing farm, with young pigs brought onto the site at around 30kg and finished around 105kgbefore being transferred to slaughter facilities.

Mr Westgarth said: “We’ve been open and honest at trying to find a resolution. It’s just another farm we’re trying to build.”

No pigs are currently reared at Biggin House Farm.

As well as a local petition, which has been signed by more than 1,600 people, Peta – the animal activists group – has started its own which has attracted more than 13,000 signatures.