Construction on the large-scale pig farm in Ternavasso, with a capacity of 8000 pigs, has been halted following the withdrawal of the project by the Cuneese breeder.
In a significant turn of events, the controversial pig farm news proposed by entrepreneur Angelo Marchisone in the Cascina Bonavalle area of Ternavasso, Poirino, has been withdrawn. The decision comes after a series of legal battles and strong opposition from local authorities and residents.
The Metropolitan City of Cuneo recently archived the investigation launched on the initiative of Angelo Marchisone, marking the end of the legal proceedings. The project, which initially proposed a farm with six stalls, each nearly 100 meters long, two external waste tanks 39 meters long, and a capacity for up to 10,000 animals, encountered strong opposition and was rejected by the City Council in November 2023.
The then administration led by Angelita Mollo chose to appeal to the Council of State, but the TAR's decision was upheld. The new mayor, elected in June, was required to reiterate the no to the original project as requested by the TAR. However, the search results do not provide the name of the new mayor who was responsible for initially opposing the project and later persuaded to reduce it.
Last October, the City Council of Poirino approved an urban perimetry (zone E3) that allows farms up to 4,000 pigs. As a result, a new project with half the number of pigs (4,000 heads) is now open. The ultimatum set by the Municipality - either a new compliant project or the maximum capacity would be limited to 500 heads if Marchisone were to win a legal victory - led to a mediation that convinced Marchisone to take a step back from the original project.
Mayor Nicholas Padalino is satisfied with the resolution of the matter, as it avoids a mega facility and saves costs of a long legal dispute. The new project, if approved, would not face obstacles from the Municipality or other local entrepreneurs. The variant to the regulatory plan set the maximum number of pigs per farm at 4,000 in April, providing a clear path for the new project to move forward.
It is uncertain whether Angelo Marchisone will resume the process for the reduced project or give up on investing in the Cascina Bonavalle area. Regardless, the withdrawal of the controversial pig farm news marks a significant victory for the local community and environmental activists who have been advocating for sustainable development and the preservation of the local landscape.
