Yahoo News Arley abattoir expansion opposed by hundreds of locals who say site 'makes their lives a misery'
Hundreds of locals have lodged their opposition to an abattoir expansion which they say 'makes their lives a misery'. More than 300 have either written or signed petitions submitted to North Warwickshire Borough Council against the abattoir at Glenside off Ansley Lane in Arley.
An agent, on behalf of T&S Abattoir Ltd, which runs the site, has submitted a retrospective planning application to the council which seeks permission for expansion works that have already taken place. But this, locals allege, have seen it go from a 'small, family run' abattoir ran by the previous owners to an 'industrial scale' slaughterhouse.
Carolyn McKay, an Arley Parish councillor, lives by the site and told CoventryLive that she has to have candles burning all day in her home because of the smell.
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"It is ruining our lives," she said. "The smells are utterly horrific.
"It comes into your home, you can't escape it. I have to have candles on all day.
"You can't put your washing out. You can't enjoy your garden."
She added: "We have even had people in Ansley complain about the smell." But she said it is not just the smell - it is the scale of the operation.
She explained that there has been an abattoir in the village for around 100 years. She said it was initially run by a local family and handled animals from local farms, selling the produce in the local shop.
The councillor claims that it slaughtered around 200 animals a week. The business was sold last year, and she now claims that 1,800 animals are slaughtered week, bringing in more traffic to the small rural lane.
She claims that the modifications that have been made at the site are not only without planning permission, but are also not in keeping with the area's 'Local Plan' and are now within 10 metres of some residential houses. "It is making our lives a misery," she said.
READ MORE: Arley abattoir 'discharge' issues see Severn Trent step in
Severn Trent has taken action at the site following concerns about 'discharges' from the site causing a potential risk to local waterways and it says the issues have been resolved. "The waste is the tip of the iceberg really," she alleged.
The site is running on a licence from the Food Standards Agency (FSA). She claimed that the FSA is now investigating.
CoventryLive contacted the FSA and a spokesperson said: "The FSA is working closely with local authority colleagues to look into complaints.
"The FSA is responsible for approving abattoirs and ensuring they are compliant with food hygiene and animal welfare regulations that the FSA holds policy responsibility for.
"An Official Veterinarian (OV) is on site during the slaughtering process and their role is to check compliance with food hygiene and welfare requirements. If any non-compliances are identified with the regulations that the FSA holds policy responsibility for, enforcement action would be undertaken."
Application details
The application seeks retrospective permission for the expansion works that have already been carried out at the site. These are for the installation of roller shutters and rooflights to a two-storey building, the construction of a ramp to delivery area, new doors and roof covering to existing animal pens, as well as the provision of new animal pens and storage areas for refuse and hay/straw, new site office and external alterations.
Within the design and access statement, it explains: "T&S Abattoir Ltd., the current owner, specialises in British lamb processing. Their operations involve sourcing British lambs locally, slaughtering, dressing, and selling the finished product through the on-site butchers’ shop and wholesale channels within the Midlands.
"Additionally, they offer services to local farmers for the slaughter and dressing of their lambs. While the nature of business remains similar to CH Rowley Ltd., T&S Abattoir focuses solely on British lamb, departing from the previous 3-species setup.
"The proposal entails modifications to both the site and its associated buildings."
It adds: "This upgrade is aimed at enhancing durability and simplifying maintenance across the premises, including additional site parking.Regarding throughput, the current owners anticipate a similar volume of finished product compared to the previous site owners, with the key difference being the focus on lamb processing instead of a three-species approach.
"Since acquisition, the abattoir building has undergone internal renovations to meet the exacting hygiene standards set by the FSA, while also improving operational efficiency.Externally, the site will undergo significant changes, including the replacement of existing grass, shrub, and hardcore surfaces with a durable concrete surface.This upgrade is aimed at enhancing durability and simplifying maintenance across the premises, including additional site parking. Regarding throughput, the current owners anticipate a similar volume of finished product compared to the previous site owners, with the key difference being the focus on lamb processing instead of a three-species approach."
Having held a period of consultation, North Warwickshire Borough Council will now decide if the expanded operation can continue. It is likely to be heard at a planning applications meeting.
