PLANS to extend the Woodhead Brothers abattoir in Colne met with resistance from councillors who believe the current odour problems should be dealt with first.

The business applied to build a two storey extension next to the existing abattoir on the corner of Regent Street and Junction Street which would provide extra office space, extra lairage and an extension to the company's pig line.

Council planners recommended the plans for approval stating that they did not believe the extension would add to the smells coming from the site.

But members of the Colne and District Committee decided to defer their decision to allow for further information on the effects of the increase in the smell problems already there.

They also asked for more information about the drainage facilities on the premises.

Their concerns about the company were heightened after it was revealed a letter of objection had been submitted by the environmental health manager at Colne ASDA, Karen Eyre.

She said the odour problem from the abattoir had been ongoing for several years and that on a bad day it was 'nauseating' despite a filtration system recently being installed after the council served an abatement notice on the firm.

Mrs Eyre said: "The strong odour is a continual talking point among our colleagues and it now seems to be having a detrimental effect on morale."

She also added that the store receives daily complaints about the smell inside and outside from customers.

Councillor Gill Gillespie was angry that the residents and others in the neighbourhood, including ASDA, Boundary Mill and Primet School, were still having to put up with the smells.

She said: "When they originally asked for permission to build the lairage a couple of years ago it was stipulated they would sort something out to deal with odours and have certain things in place before work started on it but within two weeks of that permission being granted what they were meant to install had not been done but the lairage had been started.

"I can't believe people have to live with this."

Coun Gillespie also asked if the residents could be pointed in the right direction to complain about the smells in relation to the human rights act.

A spokesman for Woodhead Brothers said there would be no further comment from the company at this stage as they were still considering the report.

Permission for security fencing and gates similar to those already used by the Woodhead Brothers Meat Co. were approved. These will run round the former Swegmark premises, on the corner of Regent Street and Junction Street, recently acquired by the company.