Last-minute flurry of opposition by environmental groups and MP Terry Jermy to Cranswick’s plans for megafarm in Methwold and Feltwell

Plans to build a US-style megafarm in a village continue to be met with a huge amount of opposition, with campaigners branding the scheme “unlawful”.

Cranswick’s proposal to construct two facilities in Methwold and Feltwell, which will produce millions of chickens and tens of thousands of pigs a year has become hugely controversial, spurring more than 15,000 letters of objections since it was first announced two years ago.

A consultation period, giving people the chance to have their say on the scheme, has ended this week, which has led to a last-minute flurry of opposition submitted to West Norfolk Council.

This has included responses from the World Wide Fund for Nature among other environmental groups, including Feedback Global and Sustain.

They have claimed the environmental impact of the farm has not been properly assessed and has failed to properly calculate the greenhouse gas emissions it will produce.

The full climate impact of major developments must now be considered in planning decisions following a landmark Supreme Court ruling last year quashing Surrey Council’s planning permission for new oil wells at Horse Hill.

Green groups were quick to warn that loosening planning regulations could create “megafarms” and contribute to river pollution from chicken faeces.

The planning application also comes against the backdrop of government plans to overhaul the planning system in pursuit of economic growth, with Environment Secretary Steve Reed recently vowing to make it quicker for farmers to build infrastructure to boost food production.

Jake White, head of legal advocacy at WWF, said their calculations show the farm could generate up to 50,000 tonnes of CO2 per year – equivalent to a person flying between London and New York 34,000 times – as well as 13,000 tonnes of manure and slurry annually without proper plans in place to dispose of it.

He said: “It’s clear that pigs will fly before Cranswick will provide a lawful and accurate assessment of the Methwold site.

“This site is unlawful, unsustainable, and unpopular. We urge the council to do the right thing and refuse to grant permission to devastate the local environment.”

Natural England has also objected to the application, warning more assessments need to be carried out to determine what effects the farm will have on Sites of Special Scientific Interest nearby.

Natasha Hurley, campaigns director at Feedback Global, added: “The stakes couldn’t be higher. This megafarm would lock in emissions increases for years at a time when urgent action is needed to reduce them.”

Cranswick’s megafarm plans, which it says will be a modern and sustainable farm, have led to huge concern among villagers who worry about the potential environmental harm and increased traffic it could create.

Local campaign groups have been fundraising to help raise money to fight against the plans through seeking legal advice.

South West Norfolk MP Terry Jermy has also urged West Norfolk Council to reject the proposals, saying: “I have said it then and I will say it now: no ifs, no buts, I am fully against the proposal.”

With the consultation coming to an end, West Norfolk Council officers will now create a planning report in preparation for councillors voting on the proposals at a planning committee meeting later this year.

Cranswick has been approached for comment.

The firm has previously said the farm will meet modern standards and help address the need for more security in the UK’s food chain.