A PLAN to double the size of a piggery on a farm looks set to be approved despite hundreds of neighbours raising concerns about the 'sickening' smell.

Daniels Farm in Vicarage Lane in Claines has put forward plans to double the size of its 1,000-strong piggery but neighbours say it already smells terrible.

Wychavon District Council's planning officers have recommended the plan is approved when councillors meet later this afternoon (July 23).

The report approved of the planned ventilation system and said the council would ensure manure is removed every week.

No negative comments were raised in the report about noise, air pollution or ground contamination.

The large piggery at Daniels Farm – owned by North Claines parish councillor Peter Philips – was installed last year having been given the go-ahead by district council planners. A petition against the plan has gathered more than 1,100 signatures and more than 110 comments were submitted against the plan – the majority of which were objections.

Several complaints were made last year against the ‘disgusting’ smell from the farm which were investigated by the council.

Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS), the body responsible for odour control in the county, said its officers had visited the farm last year and found "nothing unusual" and normal practices were being followed.

Residents in Claines said complaints had continued to be made against the “offensive” smell and the effect it was having on children at the nearby schools.

Several other objectors also raised concerns about the health of schoolchildren if the piggery was allowed to double in size.

Many other objectors were also concerned by the “dangerous” increase in traffic by heavy goods vehicles on narrow roads around the farm and schools.

More neighbours in Egg Lane had said the potential impact of the smell was “theoretical” and did not represent reality and the “overwhelming” stench from the existing piggery should be addressed before allowing it double in size.

The farm said the new building would be ventilated using ‘high-velocity’ fans and old buildings would be upgraded to reduce the smell and all manure would be used as fertiliser or sold to neighbouring farms.

The planning application said tests had been carried out which showed the smell was below the Environment Agency’s ‘moderately offensive’ level.

Other residents in Claines said the nearby Claines CE Primary School and RGS The Grange already had to put up with the “unbearable” smell and doubling the size of the piggery was unfair.

Wychavon District Council's planning committee meets virtually from 2pm today.