TWO Preston councillors have slammed a government inspector's decision to allow the development of a new slaughterhouse in Preston.

Gafoor's Poultry Products, of Swan Street, Preston, were given permission to develop the site of the old BFL coal yard on Fletcher Road following a public inquiry in June.

Permission was originally denied by planning chiefs who felt a slaughterhouse would badly affect local residents and a nearby chocolate factory, because of the noise and smell created by such a business. But following the inquiry, the council's decision was overturned by the Government.

Now Deepdale councillors Terry and Joyce Cartwright are protesting the Government's decision.

Mr Cartwright, a Labour Independent councillor, said: "We, as elected representatives for Deepdale, along with the vast majority of residents living in close proximity to the site, were very upset by the Government Inspectors' decision.

"We all feel this is the wrong place to build a slaughterhouse as it is very close to residential properties and next to Beeches chocolate factory. There are also concerns about possible health risks.

"In the last century this would have been accepted, but in this day and age, slaughterhouses should be on more appropriate sites, for example, Red Scar, which is close to the motorway network.

"In fact a new junction, 31a, has just opened to serve this area."

Work is due to start on the new factory buildings later this year. The development will include a poultry processing unit and a slaughter house.

A spokesman for Gafoor Poultry Products said: "We are just going over the plans with a fine tooth comb at the moment. We are finalising the plans, ready to put the work out to tender. Once everything is in, we are looking at starting work roughly at the end of September." bhewes@lancashire.newsquest.co.uk