PLANS announced by MAFF to keep a controversial giant burial site at Ash Moor near Petrockstowe in limbo have been greeted with scepticism and anger by nearby residents.

The huge site, which could have accommodated hundreds of thousands of animal carcasses as a result of the foot and mouth crisis, was to consist of 15 specially lined barrows.

Three were constructed and ready to take the bodies of animals killed in contiguous culls from May 7.

Now MAFF say the remaining 12 barrows will not be built and the site will be kept as a contingency plan in case of a sudden unexpected disease explosion in the area.

A public meeting is being held in the Baxter Hall, Petrockstowe tomorrow (Friday) to explain arrangements for operating the site and monitoring its safety.

Peter Greig-Smith, director of operations for MAFF, said the decision meant the department could identify the costs, both present and projected.

He said: 'Development so far, including the acquisition, construction and preparation of the operating plans has cost £7.5-million. This allows the site to be kept ready for potential use for up to 12 months.

'Beyond that time, if there is no longer an immediate contengency need, further costs of £.05-million would be incurred for further demobilisation and reinstatement of the site.

'If it does prove necessary to dispose of carcases at Ash Moor, the site would have to be maintained and monitored for at least ten years.'

This would cost £5-million for the three barrows currently available, said Mr Greig-Smith.

There were heated meetings, protest marches and non-stop vigils while the barrows were constructed, as angry residents voiced their fears over possible environmental dangers caused by degrading bodies within the chambers.

Melissa Baddeley, supporter of STAMP (Stop Ash Moor Pit), said she was 'devastated' at the announcement.

'It means it's now an ongoing situation, it could be a matter of years before its future is decided. If it's a national contingency plan, theoretically it could be used for any other purposes,' she said.

Peter Cobbledick's farm is situated next to the burial site — he and his wife, Jill, can look right into the barrows.

He had 'mixed feelings' about MAFF's announcement.

He said: 'It's nice to think it isn't going to be used, but having said that, the amount of money they have thrown at this thing is unbelievable.'

Mr Cobbledick felt the foot and mouth situation had become 'very political' and he was 'very, very wary' of MAFF announcements.

'I think the main thing is they admitted the site was going to be very much an experiment, but they were going to do it on such a grand scale,' he said.

MAFF bought the five-acre site at Meethfields from clay company Imerys early in April, after investigating more than 30 sites in Devon to try and find a suitable burial ground for the mounting backlog of carcasses at the height of the foot and mouth crisis.

There have been sabotage attempts at the site, including one this week where fire caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to the lining of one of the barrows.

Tomorrow night's meeting is due to start at 7.30pm.