DYMOCK people have a longer than expected wait to find out if controversial plans for an abattoir near their village will get the green light, or not, from the Forest of Dean District Council.

The application was set to come before the district council's planning committee this month; but the crunch meeting has been deferred until the meeting of September 12, so more information can be received.

Terry Ball, chairman of Dymock Parish Council, said questions had been asked about the actual ownership of land, which need to be resolved.

Cllr Ball, who was part of a site visit party which recently failed to gain access to the site, said of: "The decision's been put off, this time until the September planning meeting.

"To be honest, this application has had more questions than answers ever since it was put in last October, and then to find the security gates, two sets, locked to prevent the planning committee's site visit just summed up, for me, the ongoing problems there have been with it."

Cllr Ball added: "Even before the unsuccessful site visit, the district council had requested withdrawal of the application."

He added: "This application has been opposed in writing, or by petition, by almost every adult in Dymock Parish."

Dymock Parish Council has also submitted its "total objection" for the plans for the abattoir near the village; but the proposal has won support from some farmers in Gloucestershire and further afield.

The application is for the demolition of an existing poultry shed at Mooroak Farm, Dymock and to replace it with a new abattoir building of 750 square metres.

The applicant, Mohammed Hanif Jaffer, in his design and access statement to the council said: "This is a modest, low level facility".

The design is intended to "improve upon the recommended minimum space allowed for animal species and is designed to both reduce stress and fighting" among the animals.

The premises would be built according to industry guidance and would take into account the need to limit "noise, odour and emission".