Figures from campaign group Compassion in World Farming show there are now 147 industrial-scale farms housing 25,873,309 animals in Norfolk.

The pace of development has spurred Norfolk MP Terry Jermy to lead a call to stop megafarms "dominating the industry and the landscape".

And in just a few weeks the West Norfolk Council (WNC) planning committee will vote on plans to create a new industrial farming site, which would be nearly twice the size of any of those currently in operation.

An infographic submitted to West Norfolk Council showing the locations of farms with intensive livestock farming permits (Image: West Norfolk Council)

MEGAFARMS ON THE RISE

Terry Jermy, Labour MP for South West Norfolk, highlighted the rising number of megafarms during a recent debate in Parliament, calling the county the "megafarm capital of Europe".

He spoke to oppose proposals to create one of the biggest intensive livestock farming sites in Europe in two villages near Thetford, Methwold and Feltwell.

The controversial scheme is to be decided next month by WNC's planning committee.

Cranswick, the firm behind the farms - which will house thousands of pigs and millions of chickens a year - says its plans meet all the statutory environmental requirements.

But Mr Jermy, who has joined 15,000 others in opposing it,........

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