Hog farm expansion turned down

Not wishing to nearly double the number of animals, Chatham-Kent councillors have shot down a proposed hog farm expansion.

Monday's planning application concerned an operation on Spence Line in the community of Howard.

The applicants were Wouter and Jose Van Leeuwen, who wanted to increase their hog capacity from 1,700 to 3,100.

The expansion would have required a reduction in the setback to the nearest neighbour's dwelling from 458 metres to 294 metres and a reduction in the road setback from 92 metres to 80 metres.

However, after a two-hour debate, councillors rejected the application by a 12-4 margin.