Mega farm set to be refused over environment issues

In a 200-page report, planning officers said the applicant “fails to demonstrate that the development would not result in significant adverse effects on the protected sites.”

There was also “insufficient environmental information to enable the council to reach a view” on its impact on the environment and climate change, the report added.

Cranswick has claimed it had worked with council officers to provide environmental information, but had learned of additional concerns in February and not been been given time to respond.

“It is therefore extremely disappointing to learn that the planning officer is recommending refusal of the application due to a lack of information being submitted in respect of ecology and climate change,” it has said in its supporting statement to the committee.

The report reveals the plans received 12,604 objections, a 42,133-signature petition and seven representations in support.

Objectors included five parish councils, a local campaign group and two South West Norfolk MPs – former Conservative prime minister Liz Truss and her Labour successor, Terry Jermy.

About 10 animal welfare groups also spoke out, along with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), RSPB, Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), and business network Sustain.

Concerns raised included farming methods, pollution, flood risk, health and the impact on the local economy.