Controversial Shropshire pig farm can expand under permitted development rights - despite objections

Stockcroft Ltd’s plan to build room for 950 more pigs and a barn for straw at Moor Bank Farm, in Crudgington, north of Telford, was approved without going through the full planning application process.

Officials at Telford & Wrekin Council noted that cumulatively, the site would see a total of 2,850 production pigs , with 950 through the proposal and 1,900 already on site.

“Added to the noise issues, there is a very strong smell of excrement that follows the prevailing wind and engulfs my house which is very close by to this development,” one objector told planners at Telford & Wrekin Council.

“To this end, especially on hot days, I have to live in my house, in the heat, with all doors and windows closed.”

The objector added that the smell is the ‘stench of slurry and excrement’ which is in the air if the wind is in the right direction.

But planning documents show that an odour assessment was carried out which concluded that it is more than 400m from the closest residence and does not need a management plan.

There were four extensions of planning time limits as council officials assessed various reports.

These reports included an assessment into whether the proposal needed an environmental impact assessment.

Officials applied various tests and concluded that as the site already has 1,900 production pigs, with another 950 to be housed there, an assessment not required for that number.

Officials found that the land has been in perpetual agricultural use for over 35 years.

“The proposal is permitted development and as such, a full planning application is not required,” officials ruled.

“The development benefits from permitted development rights and is reasonably necessary for agricultural purposes.”

Officials added in their decision published on Monday (April 13, 2026) that the applicant has submitted documents from noise and odour specialists who outline that, in their professional opinion, the proposal will not result in significant environmental impacts.

Officials recorded that the development must be carried out within five years of the date of the consent.