Bosses at a huge food production site in Norfolk have reassured locals that they have "no appetite" for the site to become home to a slaughterhouse.
People living near the Food Enterprise Park (FEP) in Easton have raised concerns that it could soon be home to an abattoir, under plans to expand by roughly 50 acres.
However, bosses at the park have said this would be a "backward step" for the development.
The next phase of the project is being considered by South Norfolk Council and would permit the storage and distribution of livestock, along with creating space for new agricultural businesses.
Peter Milliken, who recently resigned from Easton parish council on health grounds, said the plans would "leave the door open" to a slaughterhouse at the site.
"The smell and screams from the animals so close to the residents will not be a great attraction to want to live near such a unit," he added.
Plans have been lodged for the second phase of the Food Enterprise Park (Image: Google Maps)
James Alston, a director of the park, said: "We believe that a cattle market would detract from the state-of-the-art facilities that we have landed onsite, which we seek to grow along with furthering a range of employment opportunities.
"We do not have any plans or appetite whatsoever to host an abattoir. This would be a backward step for the park and the area and this is not our wish."
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The Food Enterprise Park, located along the A47, was originally granted permission for development by Broadland Council. The next phase of the project will be determined by South Norfolk members.
The site spans a total of 100 acres and aims to add value to crops grown in the county by processing and manufacturing products from them. It is currently home to agricultural businesses including Condimentum, a supplier for Colman's.
While the storage of livestock was already permitted in the first stage of development, Mr Alston has said this was always a "less desirable" option and has "long since passed".
People living in the area will be able to have their say on the plans on May 15 and 23 at Easton Village Hall.
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