Permission for a controversial dairy unit to be built in the middle of Norfolk countryside has been unanimously granted by local councillors. 

The new dairy unit will be built just south of the tiny village of Wellingham, near Fakenham. 

The project had provoked significant opposition from local residents, who were concerned about the smells generated by the unit’s slurry lagoon, as well as the impact of increased traffic on local roads and damage to habitats. 

At a meeting of Breckland Council’s planning committee on Tuesday, November 1, Robin Ellis, chairman of Wellingham Parish Council, said the project threatened to “permanently destroy an ancient and beautiful landscape”. 

Councillors unanimously agreed with the recommendation of their planning officers however that the scheme’s economic benefits outweighed any impacts it would have on the environment. 

A single home to house a worker on the site was also approved by the committee.