PROTESTORS against controversial plans for a large-scale pig farm close to a residential estate are celebrating after a planning committee refused to grant permission.

The 1,000 place pig finishing unit at Colburn Grange Farm, Colburn, was fist considered by Richmondshire District Council’s planning committee in July last year, but was deferred so members could visit other farms of similar size and an odour management plan could be drawn up.

At a planning meeting in Richmond, dozens of objectors and supporters of the scheme piled into the meeting room at Mercury House to listen to the lively debate - with the resulting vote rejecting the application being met with applause.

Chairman of the committee, Cllr Jane Parlour, said they committee had received an “unprecedented” number of speakers, with four supporters and 16 objectors.

The proposed building, situated less than 400m from Colburn Primary School, was 48m long, 16m wide and 4.7m tall, and had been designed with a slatted floor and sealed concrete slurry container below.

The slurry was to be stored for around six months before being spread onto farmland by applicant Martin Wood, using an injection system and low-level dribble bar to reduce the smell of ammonia, and was to be carried out in March to April and August to September.

Objectors had a host of concerns, including odour, pollution, disease, and about rats and flies.

Colburn resident Stuart Styles said his main concern was the proximity of the farm to Colburn Primary School, which his child attends.

He said: “The potential impact of groundwater should be low in this area but there is historical evidence of issues with surface water running from fields next to the school.

“It has not been demonstrated that surface water generated by the proposed development can be adequately disposed of without causing flooding.”

Gareth Sutterby added: “The combination of odour and noise generated by the proposed facility may cause significant adverse impact on residential amenity.”

Marie Wood, wife of the applicant, said she and her family were “shocked, disappointed and dismayed” at the negative interest the plans had generated.

She added: “This is a small scale enterprise, and would farm using best farming practice.

“The buildings are designed to house pigs in optimum conditions that meet strict regulations on noise, odour and husbandry – it would have minimal impact on our neighbouring residents.”

Councillors were split over the proposal, with Cllr Parlour leading debate in favour of the application, and leader of the council Cllr John Blackie proposing a refusal.

Councillors voted with six against the proposal and four in favour.