OWNER of Burdon Grange Nursing Home Maurice Thomas said he was appalled when he found a dead cat in the porch of his cottage which he believes was put there by a C-FAR protestor.
But a leading member of the community said he did not believe any of the oponents would have done such a thing.
Mr Thomas, who is in discussions with C-FAR over the sale of his nursing home, has told police about the incident but said he was not allowing himself to be intimidated.
'The cat was in a white bin-liner with one of the notes on top which is being circulated around the village by the opponents,' he said.
'I think it is quite appalling. It's going back to witchcraft.'
Burdon Grange Nursing Home has been on the market for two years but when no-one was interested in taking it on as a going concern Mr Thomas said he had to consider alternative uses.
'Personally, I think it is wrong that C-FAR have not been given an opportunity to tell people exactly what their intentions are. People should be listening to the arguments first before condemning it.'
Mr Thomas, who will continue to live in the village if he sells the nursing home, said he felt C-FAR was doing a very good job and should be given a chance.
Chairman of the parish council Charles Dumpleton said he was shocked to hear about the incident with the dead cat.
'It is regrettable because it should not have happened,' he said. 'It is not something you would expect to happen in our parish and the people that I know who are opposing the plan would never do this sort of thing. It is very wrong.'
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