Factory Farming: Planning Permission
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will take legislative steps to allow local authorities to reject planning applications for (a) new and (b) expanding factory farms.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook
The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that planning policies and decisions should contribute to, and enhance, the natural and local environment. National planning policy in this area needs to be taken into account when determining applications relating to factory farms.
The planning system is concerned with whether proposed development is an acceptable use of land, rather than the control of processes or emissions subject to separate pollution control regimes. The Environmental Permitting Regulations apply to the largest intensive pig (2000+ pigs) and poultry (40,000+ birds) farms and require such farms to hold an environmental permit to operate, and to adopt Best Available Techniques to reduce pollution to air, land and water. This is regulated by the Environment Agency.
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