DYMOCK residents have closed ranks against plans for a Halal abattoir in the village.

Forest of Dean planners are considering an application from Mohammed Jaffer to build an abattoir at Green Hill Farm, formerly known as Moor Oak Farm.

The council planning committee, which is expected to discuss the application at its next meeting on March 14, has received more than 70 letters of objection from residents.

The main objections include the possibilities of: smell, flies and vermin; The generation of heavy goods traffic and pollution to the River Leadon.

Dymock Parish Council has also strenuously protested to the authority about the proposed abattoir.

Terry Ball, chairman of the parish council, said: “Our first objection is on behalf of the dozen or so close residential properties who would have to endure the smell and noise caused by such an operation, especially in the heat of summer.

“Because of their superior olfactory and aural systems, animals can sense the stress caused by the slaughter of other animals, and they react violently to it.

“With this new plan we can see no change in that situation as the application states that the waste will be put on the ground to save fertilising, though why the fertilisation of rough ground is required is beyond us.

“We believe that tourism, especially the walkers who come to Dymock regularly, will be adversely affected by the sight of the large building towering above the old poultry houses, and the sounds and smells generated by the slaughtering process.”

The application states that the waste products from the slaughtering process will be transported through Dymock village to the anaerobic digester at Rosehill Farm. It also states that waste blood and washing water will be spread on fields or transported to Netheridge.

Mr Jaffer could not be contacted for comment this week.