Local councils warned: approving unlawful megafarms could lead to costly legal battles

A series of recent landmark legal rulings have made it clear that councils must protect local people and wildlife from pollution caused by industrial chicken and pig units. The cases in Herefordshire, Norfolk and Shropshire relate to the pollution risks from untreated waste slurry and manure, climate change, and on protected conservation areas.  

The letters, sent jointly by Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming, Compassion in World Farming UK, Foodrise, River Action, Friends of the Earth, The Wildlife Trusts and the Agtivist Agency were sent to councils including North Yorkshire, Herefordshire, East Lindsey and South Norfolk. The group points out that the units provide few jobs and undermine rural businesses such as tourism, fishing, and sustainable farming. 

The organisations that co-signed the letters are urging all councils to update their Local Plans to reflect the new legal landscape, ensuring better protection for rivers, nature, and the rural economy. 

Ruth Westcott, Campaign Manager, Climate and Nature Emergency at Sustain, said: “The financial, legal and environmental risks all point us in the same direction – there is no legitimate reason to expand factory farming any further. We're here to support councils to use their planning powers to support sustainable farming. This creates more jobs, is much better for our food security and it reduces the impact of farming on our precious rivers.” 

Natasha Hurley, deputy director at Foodrise, said: “This is a warning for already cash strapped councils that approving climate-wrecking megafarms could be a very costly mistake. Recent legal rulings make it clear that the significant environmental impact of industrial livestock facilities must be properly assessed in any planning applications and that an effective moratorium on so-called megafarms has already begun. The law is firmly on the side of local people, wildlife, nature and the planet – meaning councils must firmly reject industrial-scale farms on their patch or risk bearing huge costs.” 

Amy Fairman, Head of Campaigns at River Action said: "Councils have a vital role to play in protecting our rivers and communities. By backing truly sustainable, river-friendly farming, they can safeguard nature, support rural businesses, and leave a healthier environment for future generations. River Action’s recent legal wins against Shropshire Council and the NFU, together with planning decisions in Norfolk and West Berkshire, have made it unmistakably clear: factory farms must account for the environmental damage they cause, and planning authorities have a duty to properly assess their impacts.Councils now have the chance to lead the way – protecting our waterways while promoting a thriving, sustainable rural economy, or risk costly mistakes."