THE Tomlinson family moved into their dream home near Petrockstowe found and a half years ago — but they fear they may have to leave and never go back if plans to use a private road to gain access to a mass burial site for animal carcasses goes ahead.

Situated at the entrance of the road, the family have been advised that they may not want to be living at Ash Lodge, which is 600 yards from the burial site if the road is used.

MAFF are currently looking at three options to gain access to the site but are discussing temporary re-housing possibilities with home owners along the road.

Paddi Tomlinson said with the weight and the amount of lorries using the road there was a danger the granite stone lodge house would be 'shaken to bits'.

'Our surveyor has warned us this could happen. The most cars we ever see on this road is three or four and those belong to our neighbours. We have no idea how long we would have to stay away from our home or if it will be habitable on our return,' she said.

Mrs Tomlinson said she had received no offocial information from MAFF about what was going to happen and day by day it was the media that kept her in touch.

'MAFF are not communicating with us — everytime I ask a question they do not seem to know themselves what is happening,' she said.

She said the public meeting in Petrockstowe on Saturday, which more than 200 people attended, was called at the last minute because MAFF had only just found out their preferred access road was a private lane.

'They realised they would have to consult with people rather than just drive down and excavate,' she added.

'They did not have the presence of mind to knock on the door and ask — it might have saved them a lot of time. This just shows their attitude all along really.'

The worst thing for Paddi and Mark Tomlinson was telling their three children, who are 13, 10 and 6.

'They love it here and to tell them they may not be able to carry on living in their own house has been pretty traumatic and frustrating,' she said.

From the study window of the house, the Tomlinsons can see the slashing and burning of the trees in preparation of laying the 18 tombs which will house up to 400,000 carcasses at Meethfields.

It is not something you would ewant your children to be exposed to — and the Tomlinsons are considering that the best option may be to move anyway.

'We have managed to find ourselves a holiday cottage which is available for the time being where we can all be together and the children can get to school easily — these were our main concerns,' she said.