CONTROVERSIAL plans to build an abattoir, cooking room and incinerator at a farm specialising in rare meats look set to be approved next week.

Paul and Kate Langthorne of Crawford Grange, Brompton, near Northallerton, say the new building is vital for the future of their business.

They have a herd of water buffalo and also keep deer, wapiti and wild boars. They sell the meat at farmer's markets and farm shops.

The couple want to put up a 23m by ten metre building to house a room for cutting and storing meat and two smaller buildings to be used as a cooking room and an incinerator.

The plans have met with opposition from people living in the area. A petition with 19 signatures has been sent to Hambleton District Council, as well as 36 letters of objection voicing concerns over an increase in traffic, smells from the incinerator and the impact of the buildings on the landscape.

But Mr and Mrs Langthorne say there would be no smells, and the development is key to the future development of the business.

In a letter to the council they said: "At present we are working approximately 20 hours most days hand pressing burgers and cutting up all meat ourselves as we have no room for any more employees.

"We cannot physically carry on much longer at this rate.

"If we have more workspace we will be able to employ somebody to work alongside us and hopefully prepare some produce while we attend the farmer's markets.

"The new building will enable us to cut up meat in a more organised and civilised manner.

"The incinerator is fitted with an afterburner which burns the smoke at 800 plus degrees for two seconds.

"All that comes out is a heat haze - no smoke - and a very slight smell if stood very close."

Environmental health officials concluded that the development would not cause any nuisance or harm to residents of the wider area, and the plans have been recommended for approval.

Hambleton District Council's development control committee will consider the application on May 4 at Northallerton Rugby Club.