On the 3rd of April 2025, the King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council rejected a contentious planning application for a large-scale industrial farming facility in Methwold, Norfolk, UK. The proposal, submitted by food producer Cranswick, sought to house over 870,000 chickens and 14,000 pigs, making it one of the largest farmed animal operations in the UK.
The council’s decision was met with applause and cheers from members of the public and campaigners who had opposed the project. Environmental and animal protection groups have raised significant concerns about the ecological and climate impacts of such a facility. Jake White, head of legal advocacy at WWF, said to the BBC, “This is a well-deserved win, not just for the environment but for the local community who united to oppose this unpopular, unlawful and unsustainable megafarm… We are delighted that the people of Methwold have got the result they wanted following the council’s robust consultation process.”
The council had been advised to reject the application due to its potential impact on biodiversity and climate change. During the consultation process, over 15,000 objections were lodged against the plans, with critics citing issues such as waste disposal, pollution risks, and greenhouse gas emissions. Local MP Terry Jermy, Member for South West Norfolk, who had also voiced strong opposition, said, “I said from the beginning, no ifs, no buts, the megafarm should not go ahead and I am delighted that the application has been rejected. With over 15,000 objections and numerous of legal concerns raised based on environmental breaches, this is an important victory.”
During their campaign, campaigners talked about Cranswick’s history of environmental breaches and argued that such developments would exacerbate climate challenges. Lily O’Mara from Sustain said, “Local authorities are waking up to the reality of industrial farming: a damaging and extractive system of food production that poses a serious threat to human health and our country’s future, both economically and environmentally.”
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