‘Beyond Your Worst Nightmares’: Strong Opposition to Intensive Pig Farm Expansion Plans in Loftus
Over 40 local residents attended a public meeting against the expansion of a pig factory farm in Loftus, Saltburn by the Sea. [1]
The community came together in Easington Village Hall on the evening of 25 August.
Many attendees raised concerns about the animal welfare of confining another 1,800 pigs in factory farm sheds,
Others shared fears about the impacts of more manure and worse odours on homes and local businesses nearby.
Residents in Easington and Loftus come together to oppose factory farm expansion
Elizabeth Wilmot, a retired Easington resident, said:
“Thousands of piglets living over vats of their own excrement for up to 6 months before the vats are emptied. The smells, the flies and disease will be horrendous. This is just awful, beyond your worst nightmares.”
Clare Robson, a 50-year old, Charity Founder from Loftus, said:
“Pigs are intelligent, social animals, not production units. However short their lives may be, they deserve a life worth living. I am deeply concerned about their confinement, staffing levels, slurry storage, ammonia emissions and the risk that three sheds could eventually become four, five or more.”
Locals are concerned about discrepancies in the number of pigs already on the site. Lack of clarity about the numbers mean that the Council may not be able to properly assess the cumulative impacts of odours, ammonia and other material planning considerations. The applicant has shared that he already has 2,000 weaner piglets on site.
This is especially important because the first shed was built under permitted development rules. This means that there has been no planning assessment of its impacts.
The meeting was hosted by Communities Against Factory Farming (CAFF), which is supporting the local community. [2]
Jo Lazarus, Campaign Coordinator at Communities Against Factory Farming (CAFF), said:
“It was inspiring to see such strong local opposition to this factory farm expansion. Residents shared fears about odours and the impacts on local businesses, as well as their horror at the number of living beings who will be trapped inside these sheds.
“Cramming so many animals together in such a stressful environment is deeply cruel and could have a serious negative impact on the local community. Thankfully, Loftus and Easington residents are coming together to make their voices heard and stop this factory farm expanding."
Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is considering the application.
ENDS
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Communities Against Factory Farming (CAFF) works with residents across the UK to review planning applications for intensive farms and submit strong, evidence‑based planning objections. The organisation has helped communities block and overturn multiple intensive poultry unit applications when councils overlooked key environmental and animal‑welfare issues.
All images in this press release, on our social media and on our website can be used with credit to Communities Against Factory Farming under ‘fair use’ for the purposes of reporting.
For more information or further comments, please contact:
Daniel (Press Back Office), press@caff.org.uk
Notes to Editors
[1] https://planning.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/Planning/Display/R/2026/0532/FFM#undefined