Acutely controversial plans to build an industrial farm housing 25,000 pigs near a prison in Foston, Derbyshire have been delayed once more.

The planning process over the Foston development has dragged on since 2009; the proposals by Midlands Pig Producers have attracted national attention from animal welfare groups and the ire of the local community.  

MPP requested an extension of the 31st January deadline by which time it should have gathered information to support its project; the company was granted until May this year to supply more evidence demanded by the Environment Agency.

Local opponents of the project claimed the request reveals that plans were "ill-conceived" in the first place. However, MPP said that an independent consultant tasked with supplying its evidence has been unwell, affecting the company's ability to respond to the Environment Agency's concerns.  

Residents concerns over the proposal cover a range of issue from potential health risks associated with the plant, to noise, smell and traffic problems and doubts over animal welfare. The company behind the proposals assures its facility will be state of the art, and claims locals' concerns are baseless and have been fanned by "vegan activists, who would like no animal products to be consumed at all."

A planning decision is not now expected from Derbyshire County Council until summer 2013 at the earliest.