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Search the Public Notice PortalVillagers hope they will no longer have to 'suffer' bad smells after officials blocked changes made at a controversial pig farm.
Breckland's planners have rejected two applications seeking to gain permission for building work at Cherry Tree Farm in Stow Bedon, which was carried out different to the original approved plans.
The facility has been at the centre of a fierce dispute with villagers, who have complained of noxious odours being emitted from the site for several years.
Cherry Tree Farm, operated by a subsidiary of food giant Cranswick, expanded significantly in 2019.
It was granted permission to change its stock from 600 sows and their piglets to 7,000 fully-grown pigs.
Two years later, villagers began complaining about ongoing problems with bad smells produced by animal waste.
READ MORE: Villagers wage long campaign against 'smelly' farm
They said it left them "prisoners inside their homes" and worried it could be affecting their health.
Cranswick has claimed it made changes to the site to address the problems faced by villagers following an Environment Agency investigation.
However, issues have persisted.
Two applications have since been lodged to gain permission for various building works that departed from the original approved plans.
But officials have refused these due to Cranswick failing to provide a sufficient assessment of the environmental impact of the site.
In a report, Simon Wood, director of planning, said: "The council cannot conclude that the proposals would not have a significant environmental impact."
Cherry Tree Farm is located close to conservation areas that may be affected by pollution caused by the farm, such as ammonia gases emitted through animal waste.
Ann Cuthbert, a neighbour who says she has suffered problems with bad smells for several years, said: "The air pollution and odours that my family and our neighbours have suffered as a result of this monstrous intensive pig farm have gone on long enough.
"We are glad to see the council taking our concerns seriously and very much hope this spells out the beginning of the end of the pollution from Cherry Tree Farm."
Bini Pitwell, a campaigner for Communities Against Factory Farming, said: "The community of Stow Bedon deserves better.
"Intensive pig farming is not only cruel to animals, it causes significant ammonia emissions and the special areas of conservation in this area are seriously at risk.
"We are glad to see that the retrospective planning application has been rejected.
"We’re deeply grateful to the thousands of people who took the time to object and for the determination and resilience of the local community. Thank you to Breckland council for taking their concerns seriously. This is people power at its best."
Jake White, head of legal advocacy at WWF, added: Jake White, head of legal advocacy at WWF said: “This site has always represented farming against nature, while releasing huge amounts of noxious gases that are a blight on local people's lives.
"The news that the application has been refused is therefore very welcome.
"We must now ensure that action to protect and restore our environment across the country is prioritised.
"And as this case makes very clear it is essential that, rather than US-style megafarms, we support farmers to produce food that is healthy and sustainable for climate, nature and people."
Cranswick has been approached for comment.
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