A LOCAL community group has been lobbying neighbouring councils south of the border for help objecting to a proposed pig farm.
Around 60 people turned out for a meeting organised by the Derrylin Community Association at St Ninnidh’s Hall last Thursday, which focused mainly on a planning application for a piggery close to the village.
While many more had been expected to attend the meeting, the organisers believe some previously organised events impacted turnout.
Speakers on the night included Harriet Moore-Boyd, a farmer who spoke of issues with a similar pig farm in Co Antrim, Karen Eccles, who spoke of the environmental impact of the proposed piggery, and David Brown from the Ulster Farmers Union who outlined some possible positives to the pig farm.
The final speaker was the association’s vice chairman who outlined their next steps.
“We have contacted different councils in Donegal, Cavan, Dublin, we’ve contacted Friends of the Earth, we’ve contacted Waterways Ireland, north and south,” he said.
“At the minute we’re waiting to hear back.”
Mr Scallon said that the input of Donegal County Council in a similar application in Limavady had led to further environmental studies being carried out on the plans, which he said would be welcome in Derrylin.
“Once again we want to reiterate what we’ve said from the very start,” he added.
“We are not against a piggery per se, we are against a piggery that is 300-odd metres from the village.”
The controversial application is for a shed on the Doon Road that will cater for 1,000 pigs.
Almost 650 people have objected to the application.
The community association fear the farm would cause noise, ground, water and air pollution in the area.
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