An upper dale farmer has expressed his relief after councillors backed a proposal to extend a bed and breakfast service… for pigs.
An extension to a barn at Low Houses Farm, near Newbiggin, was built under prior notification but because it is within 400 metres of residential houses it could not be used to house livestock.
In a retrospective planning application Edwin Wood asked for permission to change the use of the extension to allow for the keeping of pigs.
Durham County Council’s south and west planning committee backed the application by a single vote on Thursday, November 21, despite planning officer Hilary Sperring recommending it for refusal.
She told members the development was “considered to result in unacceptable levels of noise and odour pollution which adversely impacts upon the amenity of nearby residents”.
The committee heard the original shed was granted planning permission in 2006 and can be used to house livestock.
Mr Wood told councillors: “There are 240 pigs in the shed at present. It will be good to open the gate and let them have the rest of the shed. It will improve their welfare and reduce straw costs.”
Speaking in support of the farmer, county councillor for upper Teesdale Cllr Richard Bell said he had visited the barn twice and on both occasions there had been very little noise or smell, even with the door open.
He added: “This is due to the large amounts of clean straw used as bedding which is different from most pig farms. It is a very clean way of keeping pigs.”
However, planning agent Maria Ferguson, representing one of the neighbours, said when prior notification for the extension was given in 2021, it was stated the building would only be used for storage of hay and farm equipment.
She added: “When the building was completed at the end of 2021 pigs were almost immediately brought onto site and the shed was never used for the stated purposes of storage, in breach of planning control.”
Ms Ferguson said her client had developed asthma two years ago when the pigs were introduced and had since attended 11 doctors’ appointments because of symptoms.
She added: “These episodes still occur even with the reduced pig numbers that are evident today.”
She noted the family were unable to enjoy their garden in summer, had to keep windows closed, could not hang out washing and could not have visitors because of smells coming from the barn.
However, committee member and Barnard Castle East councillor George Richardson proposed approval.
Of a visit to the site he said: “These are what we call bed and breakfast pigs. They come in as wieners and kept for nine weeks, then go somewhere else. That is a legitimate business, he is just looking to put them in another side of the shed, which would be perfectly acceptable.
“The only time there would be a smell is probably five days a year when that shed is mucked out and the muck taken away to be spread on arable land.”
Cllr Jim Atkinson who proposed refusal said: “I have some sympathy for the objector.
“We talked about odour and we talked about smells. My niece used to live right next door to a pig farm – it is not an odour or a smell, it’s a stink.”
The committee voted 6-5 in favour of the application.
Legal officer Laura Ackerman noted the committee could only be “minded to approve” the application because issues such as nutrient neutrality still need to be sorted out.
After the meeting Mr Wood said he was relieved at the outcome. The 26-year-old added: “Definitely it is a small victory for farmers. It was very close and I was on tenterhooks the whole time but I am just glad the majority of people saw sense at the end.”
