Villagers object to abattoir plans

Nearly 100 people have written to council chiefs objecting to controversial plans to double the size of an abattoir in north Shropshire.

The letters to Shropshire Council objecting to proposals submitted by Anglo Beef Processors, at Hordley, near Ellesmere, to bulldoze its abattoir and replace it with a modern, more energy-efficient complex, come as protestors launched a website objecting to the plans.

The website www.no2abp.co.uk will allow residents of the villages surrounding ABP to share concerns about the proposals. They will also be able to receive updates about what stage the scheme is at.

Hordley and Bagley Parish Council have formerly objected to the scheme after sharing the fears of residents that if the plans were given the go ahead it would create more traffic, noise and odour levels. But ABP bosses insist plans were submitted to benefit its staff and animals and would not affect traffic and pollution.

Plans have been submitted to the unitary council and parish councillors have until Thursday to formally lodge their views on the scheme.

A resident who set-up the website, but did not wish to be named, said: "We hope people get on board and visit the website. A lot of people in the villages share the same views about the firm."