Councillors have said they are “minded to approve” plans to house 240 pigs in a rural farm building despite hearing concerns about excessive squeals and smells.

Applicant Edwin Wood submitted a retrospective planning application to convert farm buildings into a livestock facility for pigs near Middleton-in-Teesdale, County Durham. 

However, Durham County Council’s planning officers disputed the application, saying the building is unauthorised and was previously granted permission for a different use. It was argued the facility would adversely impact nearby residential properties.

Planning committee members were urged to refuse the application at a meeting on Thursday.

But Mr Wood said the Low Houses facility is vital to ensure the farm survives.

He said: “As many of you may know the challenges facing farmers are getting greater and greater with more and more business closing their family farms due to financial struggles. What we have repeatedly been told as an industry is to diversify our business so that’s what I am doing. 

“We can’t grow crops this high up the dale but we can invest in better livestock housing, the addition of the pigs is another egg in our basket to run along with the cows and the sheep. 

Mr Wood said complaints about pigs in the building were “completely ridiculous” and would not impact the residents of nearby Gateside Cottage or the environment.

He added: “I hope everyone can see common sense and understand that farms need to diversify to survive. The country needs feeding and the dale can’t just become a retirement home for incomers!”

His appeal was supported by local county councillor Richard Bell, of Barnard Castle ward, who visited the site and sampled the smells emanating from the pig shed.

Speaking at the meeting, he said: “Any smell from the site will be dissipated well before it reaches the dwellings.”

The Tory member added that the plans should be supported given the reduction in farm subsidies. 

The meeting heard how one neighbour repeatedly visited a doctor to treat her worsening asthma condition, which was attributed to an allergic reaction to the pig emissions. People have also been unable to hang out their washing or invite guests to the area. 

Maria Ferguson, a planning consultant speaking on behalf of nearby residents, said: “For over two years now my client has had to endure significant harm from odours and emissions from the unauthorised use of this shed for livestock housing and one of the nearest neighbours to the site has moved out of their home. 

“This clear intentional breach of planning control, along with the dismissal of residents’ concerns offers no confidence that any management plan put forward will be complied with.”

Yet, Barnard Castle East county councillor George Richardson disputed the concerns. “I am a farmer and I've heard an awful lot of tripe talked this morning,” he said. 

“I could not smell anything and these piglets weren’t just playing up for us visiting. They were in a clean and healthy condition. Let’s not make any assumptions that the pigs are dirty. 

“People who live in the countryside should accept it as it is, not moving and wanting to change it, and that’s what happens regularly.”

Committee members minded to approve the application by six votes to five subject to the completion, and Natural England’s agreement, of the Habitat Regulations Assessment.