‘Abattoir animals distress’ of retail proposal

Bosses at an abattoir say plans to extend a nearby retail park could cause “fear and distress” to its animals.

Gatsby Aberdeen Ltd has applied for permission to renovate a unit at Portlethen Retail Park, just off the A92 Aberdeen to Stonehaven road.

Planning documents have been submitted by agents Halliday Fraser Munro.

They state: “The proposal will allow a long-term vacant unit to be let, enhance the retail function of the town centre and attract new customers – while also appealing to current users of the retail park.

“The proposal therefore benefits the

“Duty to keep them free from noise and other vibrations”

viability of the park and also the Portlethen residents.”

But the McIntosh Donald slaughterhouse has to operate by a strict set of guidelines.

This is to ensure that animals awaiting slaughter do not suffer unduly and the abbattoir says the work would put it at risk of breaching legislation.

In its objection, McIntosh Donald wrote: “We have a duty of care to ensure that any livestock on our site awaiting slaughter is protected from any forms of fear and distress.

“This includes, but is not limited to, being free from such disturbances such as excessive noise, vibrations or other influence that cause stress to the animal.

“As the proposed work site is in close proximity to our livestock handling and lairage facilities, we would be unable to ensure these legal obligations can be adhered to in their entirely if the proposed works were to go ahead.”