Midlands Pig Producers, the company behind the deeply controversial plans for a mega-farm at Foston in Derbyshire, has said it has no plans to withdraw its planning application, despite the Environment Agency refusing to grant a permit to operate.

The Environment Agency refused to grant the permit due to concerns over the smell the pig farm would generate. In its response, the Agency said it was not satisfied with proposals as they stand, meaning the farm could emit “Significant pollution due to odour.”

MPP said in a statement that it was not surprised by the Environment Agency’s rejection, given that it took the agency four years to return a decision. The company said the EA’s rejection did not mark the end of its application process, but merely “The beginning of the second stage.”

Over 35,000 people have signed a petition against the mega-farm, which would house 25,000 pigs,  due to concerns over animal welfare, pollution and public health.