top of page
Search

Puppy Farm Plans Denied After Campaigners Object

Today (04/09/25), East Lindsey District Council refused planning permission for a puppy farm in Lincolnshire on animal welfare grounds, following an objection lodged by Animal Rising[1] and a concerted effort from local campaigners[2].

Local campaigners supported by the Coalition Against Factory Farming celebrate following the council's decision
Local campaigners supported by the Coalition Against Factory Farming celebrate following the council's decision

  • Campaigners argued that the puppy farm should be rejected on animal welfare grounds, citing a recent High Court ruling that animal welfare can be treated as a material planning issue[3].

  • The objection from Animal Rising was one of over 75 objections to the proposal[4], following the group’s efforts in supporting concerned locals and a concerted campaign to raise awareness of the issues surrounding the farm.

  • The decision means that the existing farm, which currently claims to operate with 60% capacity as a pig farm and 40% dog breeding, cannot operate as a commercial  dog breeding farm[2].


Bini Pitwell, Campaigns Coordinator for the Coalition Against Factory Farming, an Animal Rising-supported campaign, represented campaigners in opposition to the proposed farm at the council meeting, and in her speaking slot she commented:


“For three years, puppies and their mothers have been confined in a metal livestock shed with no windows, no temperature control, and no outdoor access. Neighbours frequently hear them barking, howling, and crying in distress.
“You have all just lived through a very hot summer. Imagine puppies and their mothers inside a sealed, windowless shed with mechanical fans trying to compensate for natural airflow, that is not welfare; and even the Environmental Health Officer admitted animal welfare was “not his area of expertise.”
“We are a nation of animal lovers and treat dogs like family. These conditions are not how we would treat our family and it’s totally unacceptable.”

Following the council’s decision, Bini commented:

“I am delighted that councillors have taken animal welfare seriously. This decision sets an important precedent that animal welfare is a legitimate planning consideration and I hope to see more councils follow suit. This refusal sends a clear signal that treating living beings as commodities in sheds is simply unacceptable.”

There is strong local opposition to the puppy mill, with a facebook group set up by Animal Rising campaigners attracting over 400 members [5]. A specialist planning solicitor representing a local resident registered objections over noise pollution and animal welfare [6].


This is not the only campaign over the welfare of dogs from Animal Rising; later this year, 20 Animal Rising campaigners face burglary charges at Cambridgeshire Crown Court following the rescue of 23 beagle puppies from the animal testing industry in 2022[7]; the puppies were removed from MBR Acres breeding facility in Huntingdon and taken to secret homes to live out their lives in safety. The rescuers, who handed themselves in voluntarily to the police, will plead not guilty despite admitting their roles in the rescue.


Councillors speaking against the planning application stated that “animal welfare is key issue here” having visited the premises, one commenting: “I am minded to … reject the application on the grounds of animal welfare and I have strong moral concern that that should be the case.” A streamed video of the meeting featuring all councillor’s comments is available on youtube. [8]


District Councillor Natalie Oliver also registered her objection saying, “Rescue centres across the UK are at capacity, and thousands of dogs are abandoned or euthanised each year due to a lack of homes. Supporting commercial breeding in this context undermines responsible animal stewardship and public interest.” [9]


ENDS

Word count: 492


For more information or further comment, please contact:

Emma (Press Back Office)  +44 1225 29 6691 press@animalrising.org


All images and videos in this file, on our social media, and website can be used with credit to the Animal Rising under ‘fair use’ for the purposes of reporting.


Notes to the Editor:



[3]The High Court in Animal Equality UK v North East Lincolnshire [2025] confirmed that animal welfare can be treated as material planning issues. https://www.casemine.com/judgement/uk/6841263bb3aac9733943ba93

[8] https://www.youtube.com/live/Lh80YV_l0WU?si=cT3VIKkJpIn4vsU7 Quotes taken from Councillor Robert Watson’s speech at 25:15.


 
 
bottom of page