Local plans normally follow a common structure. We have provided example text and information to add into the relevant sections.
Intensive livestock can have negative impacts on all sustainable development objectives (environmental, economic and social). As such, new developments should receive careful consideration, and local plans should provide clear expectations for new applications.
On this page
- Contribution to sustainable development
- Rural economy
- Climate change / greenhouse gas emissions
- Water management
- Biodiversity
- Traffic management, highway safety and promoting active travel
- Local distinctiveness
- Greenbelt and safeguarded land
- Rural workers dwellings
- Agricultural buildings
- Services and facilities within the community
- Glossary
Contribution to sustainable development
Recommended policy explanation text:
By assessing the contribution of developments to sustainable development objectives across economic, social, and environmental factors, the policies within this local plan will support intensive livestock development when it is considered suitable.
Case study: Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan- Part 1 November 2023
LP14 – Intensive Livestock and Poultry Farming
14.12 The policy seeks to support this specific agricultural sector wherever it is considered appropriate whilst ensuring significant consideration is given to environmental protection as well as the wellbeing of people and the impacts on natural and cultural resources.
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Recommended policy explanation text 2:
Intensive livestock units can have a negative impact on sustainable development objectives. Air and water pollutants including ammonia, dust, odour, noise and nutrients from manure and slurry affect the local community and the environment. The creation of few, poor quality jobs and the impact of environmental pollution on local tourism mean that intensive livestock units can contribute very little or even have a negative impact on the local economy. As a result, further developments must be considered.
Case study: Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan- Part 1 November 2023
LP14 – Intensive Livestock and Poultry Farming
14.13 Intensive agricultural units, particularly pig and poultry farms, can affect both sensitive habitats and the local population. This is largely through the release of pollutants, including: ammonia; nutrients from manure; litter and slurry; effluent discharges; dust; odour; and noise. Consequently, there is the need to exercise particular care when considering developments which would bring livestock and poultry units within close proximity to sensitive environments and land uses. Sensitive land uses include buildings, amenity areas, or outdoor spaces where routine or normal activities occurring at reasonably expected times would experience one or more adverse effects from contaminant discharges generated by a nearby major facility. Sensitive land uses may be a part of the natural or built environment. Examples include: residences, day care centres, educational and health facilities, office development or sensitive environmental areas. The modelling of impacts on sensitive receptors must be considered appropriate through consultation with the relevant organisation and approved by the Local Planning Authority.
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Recommended policy explanation text 3:
The policies within this local plan seek to encourage and support sustainable farming in rural, peri-urban and urban areas to align with the goal of the National Planning Policy Framework to support developments “in favour of sustainable development”.
To be sustainable, farming must be in line with the principles of agroecology which is defined simply by the Real Farming Trust as “farming that works with nature to produce good food for everyone”. Many farm approaches including organic, permaculture and biodynamic apply agroecological principles.
More specifically, agroecology as defined by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations includes:
- Diversity at the farm and landscape scales
- Co-creation and open knowledge exchange
- Creating synergies across the farming system
- Efficient use of resources
- Recycling and making the most of resources
- Resilient production and supply
- Equity and improving livelihoods
- Cultural food traditions
- Ethical governance at all levels
- Solidarity and connection from farm to fork
Sustainable farming contributes to all 3 objectives of sustainable development.
The economic benefits of sustainable farming include decent livelihoods for those participating in the food system, fair prices for consumers, employment opportunities for people with a variety of skills and abilities and local economic growth when food is produced and sold locally. Additionally, farm diversification stabilises farmers’ incomes and reduces their economic vulnerability.
The social benefits include public health improvements, such as improved access to locally produced, nutritious fruit and vegetables. Additionally, by producing food locally, there is less reliance on imports, which creates improved food security and more resilient supply chains. Building a farm to fork connection brings multiple societal benefits. Sustainable farming also involves equitable access to land and cultural diversity which ensures social justice and culturally appropriate food.
Recommended policy text 3:
This policy supports sustainable farming because it contributes to all 3 objectives (economic, social and environmental) of sustainable development. Proposals which undermine the viability of existing sustainable farms will not be supported. Diversification will be considered as necessary for viability.
Recommended monitoring:
Number of submitted, accepted and rejected proposals for sustainable farming developments.
Number of sustainable farms no longer trading .
Rural economy
Recommended policy explanation text:
In line with the National Planning Policy Framework, prosperous rural economies will be supported. In [insert area], intensive livestock units make up [insert component size] component of the agricultural sector.
Case study: Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan- Part 1 November 2023
LP14 – Intensive Livestock and Poultry Farming
14.11 Strong rural economies are essential in creating and sustaining vibrant rural places and communities. Intensive livestock and poultry farming are a large component of the agricultural industry in Babergh and Mid Suffolk.
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Recommended policy text 2:
Proposals for diversification of agricultural rural businesses including enterprise stacking will be supported when they meet all of the following criteria:
- The proposal scale is appropriate to its location and setting
- The proposal won’t cause unacceptable adverse impacts to the amenity of nearby communities including design, mass, noise, dust, lighting and smell
- The traffic generated must be safely accommodated within the local road network
- The proposals do not adversely affect water quality, wildlife habitats or the character and quality of local landscapes
Recommended monitoring:
Number of submitted, approved and rejected proposals for diversification of agricultural businesses.
Case study: Herefordshire Local Plan Core Strategy 2011 – 2031 Adopted October 2015
Policy RA6 - Rural economy
Employment generating proposals which help diversify the rural economy such as knowledge based creative industries, environmental technologies, business diversification projects and home working will be supported. A range of economic activities will be supported, including proposals which:
- Support the retention and/ or diversification of existing agricultural businesses;
- Planning applications which are submitted in order to diversify the rural economy will be permitted where they:
- Ensure that the development is of a scale which would be commensurate with its location and setting;
- Do not cause unacceptable adverse impacts to the amenity of nearby residents by virtue of design and mass, noise, dust, lightng and smell;
- Do not generate traffic movements that cannot safely be accommodated within the local road network;
- Do not undermine the achievement of water quality targets in accordance with Policies SD3 and SD4.
Climate change / greenhouse gas emissions
Recommended policy explanation text tbc:
Recommended policy text:
Submit an approved comprehensive greenhouse gas assessment to include direct and indirect emissions covering Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.
Recommended monitoring:
Number of approved proposals with an approved greenhouse gas assessment including direct and indirect emissions.
Case Study: Norfolk Planning Application Rejection
The planning application for an intensive livestock unit in Norfolk was rejected because it lacked information on direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions. Planning officers advised that direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions needed to be considered due to the “Finch” ruling, which was a 2024 Supreme Court ruling that blocked planning approval for a Surrey oil well because it lacked a greenhouse gas assessment for direct and indirect emissions. Council officers and legal advocates made the assessment that the implications of the “Finch” ruling were applicable to the intensive livestock application in Norfolk.
Recommended policy explanation text 2 tbc:
Recommended policy text 2:
Where appropriate, the use of climate adaptation measures including water retention, flood alleviation, use of waste streams and urban cooling in all food growing and food production developments will be supported.
Recommended monitoring:
Number of proposals incorporating climate adaptation measures.
Water management
Recommended policy explanation text:
[Insert limitations for non-domestic water resource in your area]. Water resource availability for proposals therefore needs to be considered at an early stage.
Case study: Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan- Part 1 November 2023
LP14 – Intensive Livestock and Poultry Farming
14.14 The limitations for non-domestic water across the Districts’ water resource zones (Anglian Water, and Essex & Suffolk Water [Northumbrian Water] are a key sensitivity in Babergh and Mid Suffolk, as identified in policies SP08 and LP26. Accordingly, the availability of sufficient water resource to supply proposed intensive livestock and proposed intensive livestock and poultry units should be considered at an early stage.
Guidance:
Where you have areas with limited water resources, this is justified.
Recommended policy text:
Consider and address water use including capacity of the water supply infrastructure network and water resource impact.
Recommended monitoring:
Water supply network limitations.
Water quality of rivers [insert rivers within local catchment].
Case study: Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan- Part 1 November 2023
LP14 – Intensive Livestock and Poultry Farming
c) consider and address the impact on water resources and the capacity of the water supply infrastructure network, taking account of the limitation particularly on the Hartismere supply network;
Recommended policy explanation text 2:
Cumulative impacts of nearby intensive livestock units must also be considered if an individual proposal is acceptable.
Case study: Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan- Part 1 November 2023
LP14 – Intensive Livestock and Poultry Farming
14.15 Importantly, whilst an individual intensive livestock and/or poultry development may be acceptable, the cumulative impacts resulting from similar developments nearby must also be taken into account.
Recommended policy text 2:
If an individual intensive livestock proposal is considered acceptable, the cumulative impacts of nearby intensive livestock units must also be considered.
Recommended monitoring:
Number of intensive livestock units in area.
Case study: Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan- Part 1 November 2023
3. Where an individual intensive livestock or poultry development is considered acceptable, the cumulative impacts resulting from similar developments nearby must also be taken into account.
Biodiversity
Recommended policy explanation tbc:
Recommended policy text 1:
Identify air quality impacts on sensitive environmental receptors through appropriate emission modelling and demonstrate there will be no significant effects on these. This emission modelling must be submitted with the proposal. Demonstrate measures that will protect these sensitive environmental receptors from water quality impacts, including on-site contingency measures.
Recommended monitoring:
Condition status of Ramsar Site, Special Protection Areas, Special Areas of Conservation, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), ancient woodlands, local wildlife sites and irreplaceable habitats. Water quality assessments of [insert rivers in your catchment].
Case study: Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan- Part 1 November 2023
LP14 – Intensive Livestock and Poultry Farming
b) protect sensitive environmental receptors, such as designated protected species, ecological sites and watercourses (including wet and dry ditches, groundwater and ponds) from air quality impacts identified through appropriate emission modelling and interpretation of the modelling results, and water quality impacts, using pollution prevention measures and demonstrable on-site contingency measures;
d) demonstrate that there will be no significant effects upon sensitive environmental receptors from air pollutants, through submission of appropriate emission modelling;
Recommended policy explanation text 2 tbc:
Guidance: Manure and slurry can be defined as waste where there is uncertainty in its final use.
Recommended policy text 2:
Demonstrate natural and non-natural wastes produced by the whole agricultural unit will be appropriately managed both on and offsite through the submission of a waste management method statement.
Recommended monitoring:
Waste management practice(s) records and water quality assessments of the [insert rivers within your local planning authority].
Case Study: Herefordshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan Adopted March 2024
6.2.24 Policy W3 requires a waste management method statement to be submitted with all applications for livestock unit(s) on agricultural holdings. The statement will include clear details on the following matters as relevant for either the proposed development or the whole agricultural holding, dependent on the scale of development: the type and quantity of livestock; the type and quantity of by-products likely to arise; methods for dealing with inputs and outputs; pollution controls; transportation requirements; and any other reasonable matters as requested by Herefordshire Council. The waste management method statement may incorporate or cross refer to discrete Manure Management Plans, Transport Assessments and/or the operational details prepared to satisfy the farming rules for water or environmental permitting requirements.
Policy W3: Agricultural waste management including for livestock units
1. Waste management method statements will be required for proposals for livestock unit(s) on agricultural holdings that:
b. for EIA development, demonstrates that both natural and non-natural wastes generated by the whole agricultural unit will be appropriately managed both on and offsite.
Case study: Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan- Part 1 November 2023
LP14 – Intensive Livestock and Poultry Farming
e) demonstrate adequate provision has been made for the management and disposal of waste materials, liquids, litter and manure for each production cycle which will not lead to pollution, particularly of surface and groundwater, by submission of an approved waste management plan;
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Guidance: This is justified if rivers are in an unfavourable condition and the Environment Agency agree.
Recommended policy text 3:
Proposals within [insert river catchments in unfavourable condition] must demonstrate nutrient neutrality.
Recommended monitoring:
Case Study: Herefordshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan Adopted March 2024
Policy W3: Agricultural waste management including for livestock units
3. All proposals for livestock unit(s) and anaerobic digestion and any other waste management proposals on agricultural holdings within the River Wye SAC or the River Clun SAC will be required to demonstrate at least nutrient neutrality.
Traffic management, highway safety and promoting active travel
Recommended policy explanation text tbc:
Recommended policy text:
For intensive livestock unit proposals, demonstrate over a production cycle the impact on HGV movements, including the origin, routing and destination of goods. Where there are significant increases in traffic, proposals must incorporate mitigation measures to protect all users in local communities from risks to highway safety, ensuring safe and appropriate access.
Recommended monitoring:
Number of complaints from local communities relating to unacceptable impacts on traffic or HGV movements outside agreed times.
Case study: Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan- Part 1 November 2023
LP14 – Intensive Livestock and Poultry Farming
g) ensure the provision of safe and suitable access for all users, including the proportionate mitigation of any unacceptable impacts on highway safety resulting from a significant increase in traffic movements. Proposals should demonstrate their impact on HGV movements over a production cycle taking account of the origin, destination and routing of goods within the processing chain.
Local distinctiveness
Recommended policy explanation text tbc:
Recommended policy text:
Include measures to ensure that developments avoid or mitigate impact on local character and communities, including odour, light pollution, ammonia, air pollutants, pests and noise. Existing conditions must be demonstrably improved for extensions.
Recommended monitoring:
Number of complaints from local communities relating to unacceptable impacts on amenity.
Case study: Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan- Part 1 November 2023
LP14 – Intensive Livestock and Poultry Farming
a) serve to protect the amenity of residential properties, avoiding or effectively mitigating odour, light and other forms of pollution and disturbance, or in the case of extensions can demonstrate a positive improvement in existing conditions;
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Recommended policy text 2:
New developments must protect the quality of the local landscape by minimising visual and landscape impacts and must include appropriate landscaping proposals.
Recommended monitoring: TBC
Case study: Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan- Part 1 November 2023
LP14 – Intensive Livestock and Poultry Farming
f) serve to minimise visual and landscape impact and incorporate suitable landscaping proposals; and
Greenbelt and safeguarded land
Recommended policy explanation text tbc:
This policy encourages and supports sustainable horticulture. There is a huge opportunity – and need – to increase fruit and vegetable consumption and production in the UK. The Eatwell Guide recommends eating seven portions of fruit and veg a day. This equates to 15 million megatonnes of fruit and veg. Currently, we only eat 9.3 million megatonnes, of which 5.5 million megatonnes are imported (much from climate vulnerable countries).
Guidance:
Where appropriate, the most suitable agricultural land should be identified and designated for sustainable horticulture.
Recommended policy text:
To promote sustainable development, [insert rural and peri-urban land most suitable for sustainable farming including land in the green belt] is designated for sustainable farming and [insert land suitable for sustainable horticulture] is designated for sustainable horticulture.
Recommended monitoring:
Map of agricultural land showing areas designated for sustainable farming.
Case study: Cheshire West and Chester Local Plan (Part One) Strategic Policies - adopted 29 January 2015
Policy STRAT 9
Green Belt and countryside
The intrinsic character and beauty of the Cheshire countryside will be protected by restricting development to that which requires a countryside location and cannot be accommodated within identified settlements.
Within the countryside the following types of development will be permitted;
- Development that has an operational need for a countryside location such as for agricultural or forestry operations.
- Replacement buildings.
- Small scale and low impact rural / farm diversification schemes appropriate to the site, location and setting of the area.
- The reuse of existing rural buildings, particularly for economic purposes, where buildings are of permanent construction and can be reused without major reconstruction.
- The expansion of existing buildings to facilitate the growth of established businesses proportionate to the nature and scale of the site and its setting.
Development must be of an appropriate scale and design to not harm the character of the countryside.
The general extent of the North Cheshire Green Belt will be maintained. Policy ‘STRAT 3 Chester’ sets out the proposed release of Green Belt to meet the development needs of Chester. In settlements and areas of the countryside that are within the Green Belt, additional restrictions will apply to development in line with the National Planning Policy Framework.
Recommended policy explanation text 2 tbc:
Recommended policy text 2:
Encourage, identify and designate suitable space for community links to farming, such as community farms and market gardens
Recommend monitoring:
Map of agricultural land showing areas designated for community links to farming.
Numbers of submitted, approved and rejected community food spaces proposals.
Case study: Lambeth Local Plan 2020–2035 Adopted September 2021
Policy EN2: Local food growing and production
A. The use of land and buildings as new allotments, orchards and for local food growing spaces and production will be supported, including the temporary use of vacant or derelict land or buildings and the use of incidental open space on housing estates and other open space areas, where this does not conflict with other policy objectives or land use priorities.
Rural workers dwellings
Recommended policy explanation text tbc:
Barriers that can be alleviated by local plan policies include lack of available local food system infrastructure, affordable rural, peri-urban and urban agricultural workers’ dwellings, planning barriers for agricultural infrastructure such as polytunnels and for farms less than 5 hectares which don’t have permitted development rights and the long-term investments needed.
Recommended policy text:
Affordable agricultural dwellings for small scale sustainable farming will be supported as it is recognised these are required for effective operation of these enterprises.
Recommended monitoring:
The number of agricultural dwellings listed at affordable prices increases.
Sustainable buildings
Recommended policy explanation text tbc:
Recommended policy text:
Proposals (including conversions, extensions and changes of use) should incorporate space for communal and/or private food growing within the scheme.
Recommended monitoring:
Percentage of development proposing food growing.
Case study: Brighton & Hove City Plan Part One 2016
CP8 Sustainable Buildings
2. All development proposals including conversions, extensions and changes of use will be expected to demonstrate how the development:
p. encourages food growing.
Agricultural buildings
Recommended policy explanation text tbc:
Barriers that can be alleviated by local plan policies include lack of available local food system infrastructure, affordable rural, peri-urban and urban agricultural workers’ dwellings, planning barriers for agricultural infrastructure such as polytunnels and for farms less than 5 hectares which don’t have permitted development rights and the long-term investments needed.
Recommended policy text:
Proposals for infrastructure for sustainable farming are encouraged. Planning advice notes/supplementary planning documents [delete as appropriate] will be provided for the following infrastructure types: [add/delete as appropriate] polytunnels.
Recommended monitoring:
Number of submitted, approved and rejected proposals for infrastructure for sustainable farming.
Case study: Herefordshire Council Polytunnels Planning Guide June 2018
This includes:
- Planning context including a list of relevant policies
- Planning issues and detailed advise on addressing these issues
- Planning application requirements and guidance
Recommended policy explanation text 2 tbc:
Recommended policy text 2:
Allow farm buildings for educational visits and volunteer programmes.
Recommended monitoring:
Number of farm buildings for educational and volunteering purposes.
Services and facilities within the community
Recommended policy explanation text tbc:
Barriers that can be alleviated by local plan policies include lack of available local food system infrastructure, affordable rural, peri-urban and urban agricultural workers’ dwellings, planning barriers for agricultural infrastructure such as polytunnels and for farms less than 5 hectares which don’t have permitted development rights and the long-term investments needed.
Recommended policy text:
Recognise, safeguard and encourage the role of local food system infrastructure so that farmers can supply local, affordable and healthy food. This includes: small-scale abattoirs, processing facilities, distribution centres, farm shops, butchers, local producer markets, community supported agriculture, wholesalers, pop up shops in both rural and urban local markets.
Shops that provide essential infrastructure for the local food system will be protected from change of use away from food retail including baker, butcher, greengrocer, grocer, specialist ethnic food shop.
Recommended monitoring:
Numbers and types of local food system infrastructure businesses and length of operation.
Numbers of submitted, approved and rejected applications for local food system infrastructure.
Case Study: Organic North
Organic North are based in New Smithfield’s Market in Manchester and are wholesalers of certified organic produce. They have low food waste and a large seasonal and local range of foods with fair and competitive prices. As a cooperative, they help establish and support new growers by giving them a route to market.
Case study: Brighton & Hove City Plan Part One March 2016
CP18 Healthy City
Planning will support programmes and strategies which aim to reduce health inequalities and promote healthier lifestyles through the following:
5. Recognise, safeguard and encourage the role of allotments; garden plots within developments; small scale agriculture and farmers markets in providing access to healthy, affordable locally produced food options.
Case study: Core Strategy Hackney’s strategic planning policies for 2010-2025 Adopted November 2010
Shops that provide essential day-to-day needs for the local community such as bakers, butchers, greengrocers, grocers, specialist ethnic food shops, post offices, dispensing chemists and primary care facilities, launderettes, newsagents and post offices in the borough’s town, district and local shopping centres as well as shopping parades and corner shops will be protected from changes of use away from retail.
Glossary
Guidance: Manure and slurry can be defined as waste where there is uncertainty in its final use.
Recommended definition of agricultural waste:
Recommended definition of intensive livestock units:
Rearing more than 40,000 places for poultry or 2,000 places for production pigs (over 30kg) or 750 places for sows.
Case study Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan- Part 1 November 2023
Glossary
Intensive livestock and poultry farming
For the purposes of Policy LP14 – Intensive Livestock and Poultry Farming. The Environmental Permitting Regulations 6.09 Sector Guidance Note published by the Environment Agency in 2010 defines ‘intensive’ as an installation with more than: (i) 40,000 places for poultry; (ii) 2,000 places for production pigs (over 30kg) and/or (iii) 750 places for sows. (EPR Technical Guidance Note (2010) Regulatory Guidance Note No. 2 Understanding the meaning of regulated facility - Appendix 3 Interpretation of Intensive Farming Installations).
Food for the Planet: Helping local authorities to tackle the climate and nature emergency through food.
