A COUNCILLOR has voiced concern over an incinerator likely to be sited in Teesdale to dispose of 2,000 carcases awaiting exhumation.

"Most residents are unaware of this," said Hamsterley parish and district Coun Derek Peart. "I think there should be some public consultation within the community before this decision is made."

As reported in the D&S Times last week, the bodies at West Shipley Farm, Hamsterley, and Low West House Farm, Tow Law, were due to be dug up and reburied at the newly opened Inkerman site at Tow Law. But because some of the carcases are more than five years old, they cannot now be reburied or rendered due to a change in regulations.

A MAFF spokesman confirmed that draft approval had been given to use a potential site near Knitsley Quarry, at Teesdale's boundary with Wear Valley, which had been identified as suitable for an air curtain incinerator. This method of disposal allowed high and controlled temperatures and was a much cleaner method of disposal in terms of emissions.

But he could give no assurances that, once the exhumed carcases were burned, the incinerator would not be used for stock from elsewhere. "We can never say never about it not being used for stock from other areas," he said.

Mr Howard Stainthorpe, Teesdale District Council's head of environmental health, said MAFF had been liaising with Teesdale and Wear Valley council regarding the proposal. "Sophisticated monitoring equipment will be put in place and we will be keeping a close eye on things," he added.

l Stan and Joanne Thompson became the latest victims of foot-and-mouth in Teesdale when the disease was confirmed at their home at Groves Farm outside Staindrop on Monday, taking the total number of cases in the county to 83.

The couple, who are tenants of Raby Estates and well-known around the North-East as exponents of blue grass music, saw their 730 sheep and 900 lambs culled on Tuesday.

Estates manager, Mr Stephen Rochford, said he was bitterly disappointed that foot-and-mouth had raised its head again in Langleydale. Asked whether the outbreak would set back the opening of Raby Castle, planned for the late May bank holiday, Mr Rochford said, "I have always stated publicly that there would need to be at least two weeks with no new outbreaks before we would consider opening.

"We are assessing things as we go along, but are very conscious for our tenants. We do not want to do anything to risk the spread of the disease."

Mr Rochford confirmed that there had been a lot of Press interest in the deer at Raby Park, but they were not at present under threat of culling. Similarly, the estate's herd of Longhorn cattle had escaped for the moment.

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