WEST Devon farmers could be in for a boost, if plans for a new abattoir get the go-ahead tomorrow (Friday).

Dartmoor National Park's planning committee is due to make a decision on the application for an abattoir at Burntown Farm in Mary Tavy, with recommendation for permission to be granted.

The application is to convert and extend an existing agricultural building into an abattoir, for the relocation of Martin Smale's business, MS Quality Meats, currently in Hatherleigh. The business has been running for 15 years but the current premises are deemed to be at the end of their useable life-span.

Originally, Devon County Council objected to the proposal on highway safety grounds, but after a site inspection, and subject to the approval of an application to widen the access road, the county had no further grounds to recommend refusal.

The National Farmers Union's Exeter office expressed its full support for the abattoir, stating it had seen a rapid decline in the number of small to medium sized abattoirs in the last 15 years, meaning farmers had to transport animals longer distances to slaughter, increasing costs and food miles.

The abattoir is expected to process approximately 70 animals per week. Planning officer James Aven said: 'The slaughtering is proposed to take place on one or two days per week, animals arriving by vehicle and trailer. There are expected to be approximately 12 customers a day when slaughtering, plus three members of staff, a vet and a meat inspector in attendance on these days. On the other three days of the working week, approximately eight customers will arrive to collect meat and there will again be three members of staff. A small lorry will collect by-products twice a week.'

The site inspection panel acknowledged the public demand for local produce and farmers' need for smaller abattoirs, noting that larger abattoirs were not interested in dealing with small numbers of stock.

Mary Tavy Parish Council acknowledged the possible need for such a facility, but did not consider the location acceptable, due to increased traffic, noise and disturbance.

West Devon's environmental health department has advised that if managed properly, the facility would have little impact, as noise and odour would be minimal.

The application sparked several letters from local objectors who believe the proposal to be an inappropriate industrial development in the national park, claiming the application does not indicate any constraint on working hours, underestimates abattoir traffic movements and ignores traffic from the five dwellings at Burntown.

Letters of support were also received stating that the abattoir would be a great asset to the local farming community, creating employment opportunities and providing a knowledgeable butcher and slaughter man, which they believe vital in promoting the quality of local produce.