THE controversy over plans for a new abattoir in Suffolk is set to take another twist - with an appeal set to be heard against the development's initial refusal, and another planning debate lined up about a second site.

By David Green

THE controversy over plans for a new abattoir in Suffolk is set to take another twist - with an appeal set to be heard against the development's initial refusal, and another planning debate lined up about a second site.

A public inquiry has been organised for December 5 and 6 into an appeal by C & K Meats of Brome into a refusal by Mid Suffolk District Council to grant permission for the creation of an abattoir in an existing warehouse on Eye Business Park.

The application was rejected following opposition from existing food firms on the business park.

A decision on a second application, to build the abattoir on a greenfield site at Yaxley, was deferred by planners in September pending the receipt of more information.

This application is due to go back to the planning committee later this month and a decision could be made before the public inquiry into the original plan.

However, the Environment Agency confirmed yesterday that its objection to the Yaxley site remained - because of the risk of a smell problem from the proposed effluent lagoon and because of the risk of the site being flooded as the result of a rainstorm.

Michael Neale, a senior environmental officer with the agency, said: “We have asked for new computer modelling and assessment work to be undertaken but there has been no response from the applicant.”

Mr Neale said the agency needed either evidence that the lagoon would not cause a problem or a commitment to either install a special effluent treatment plant or link up with a mains sewer.

But Chris Burrows, joint owner of C & K Meats, said the company would not be responding to calls for more information about the Yaxley proposal.

“We have already given them so much information and as far as we are concerned they have all they need to make a decision,” he said.

Mr Burrows said the company would proceed with its appeal over the business park site even if planning permission was granted for the Yaxley site beforehand.

Dominic Richards, spokesman for the Stop Eye Abattoir protest group, said the number of organisations objecting to the Yaxley application had grown since the matter was deferred in September.

“Given that the applicants have refused to answer the Environment Agency's objections, there seems little sense in hearing the application again unless the planning committee intends to reject it.

“It was clear from the meeting on September 2 that not one of the planning committee members spoke in favour of the Yaxley site and they echoed the concerns of a thousand local residents, official government bodies and all the parish councils who have recommended refusal.

“I think this application should simply be rejected and the misery it has caused be ended once and for all for local people. Only then can an alternative site be properly pursued," Mr Richards said.