PUT ON HOLD

Planning chiefs at Vale Royal Borough Council agreed to defer the scheme - submitted by Gary Cooper and Son - until they had visited the site, off Brereton Lane in Sproston, in person.

The application involves transforming an agricultural building and creating an extension to be used for skinning livestock and refrigerating carcasses.

It also incorporates hide rooms, skinning bays and waste containers.

Members of the planning committee decided at last night's meeting to take environmental health officers from the council along with them in direct response to the concerns of objectors.

A number of residents and parish councils fear the creation of the centre would cause environmental problems.

The list of objectors includes Congleton Borough Council and Sproston, Cranage and Brereton parish councils.

There were also 11 letters of opposition put before the committee last night.

Concerns

Their objections centre on concerns relating to air quality, cesspool effluent, spread of disease and smells, as well as the impact of HGVs on Brereton Lane.

Congleton Borough Council opposes the scheme on the grounds that it was contrary to the emerging Local Plan.

However, despite the large number of objections and concerns, the application is recommended for approval by planning officers, subject to a number of conditions.

In a report to the committee, they argue that there would be strict controls over the operation of the centre through the Environmental Protection Act and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

jdriscoll@guardiangrp.co.uk