Appeal lodged to build pig farm in Venn Ottery

Plans to create a giant pig farm in an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) have been resurrected after an appeal was lodged this month.

Chris Down, of Crealy Farms, submitted a revised application to accommodate almost 750 pigs in two buildings, with a slurry store and drainage pond in Venn Ottery in February 2012.

It was rejected by the district council (EDDC) in September however, who said although a number of technical issues which had hampered the original application from 2010 had been resolved, the ‘scale and nature of the development failed to conserve the landscape and scenic beauty of the AONB’.

Newton Poppleford Parish Council did not support the plans for the land west of Collyhead Farm, saying it would ‘completely change the surroundings’, and a campaign group was mobilised against the pig farm, with almost 150 objections submitted to EDDC.

But Mr Down has appealed to the Planning Inspectorate to revive the pig farm idea.

A decision is expected late this year.