PLANS to build five incinerators at Nightingale Hall Farms must be challenged with sound scientific facts, was one of the verdicts to emerge from a packed public meeting last week. Lancaster's Gregson Centre was crammed with protesters from all parts of the city determined to block the controversial plans for the fats and proteins rendering plant. Dr Rick Gould, an environmental consultant, has offered to help investigate the full environmental impact the new development will have on nearby homes, schools and hospitals.

He explained: "Nightingale Hall farms say technically there is no odour problem. We have to find a way of mounting a campaign that proves beyond all reasonable doubt there is a problem. It does not look like a good place to put five incinerators."

If the planning application is successful then Lancaster will become the first place in the country to house incinerators specifically designed to burn carcasses of animals following the government's massive BSE cull.

Feelings were running high at the meeting and for many people it was a chance to vent their frustration about the smell. About 120 people signed a petition to be involved in the anti-incinerator Just Say No campaign.

One protester told the meeting how they could see the animal carcasses in the tops of the trucks as they passed their home.

Another said: "We must appeal for people from all over Lancaster to get involved so it doesn't look like we are just NIMBYs."

Other suggestions raised at the meeting included the need to network with other groups across the country who have experienced similar problems. At the same time councillors urged people to keep the pressure on and to regularly report the smell to the council.

Sue Payler of the Freehold Community Association said: "The FCA is totally opposed to the expansion and the incinerator. We will raise funds to support scientific research against Nightingale Hall Farms."

Cllr Hilton Dawson claimed the meeting was a huge success and following last week's emotive meeting he penned a letter to the owner of Fats and Proteins, Edmund Metcalfe, appealing for him to relocate the plant.

Cllr Dawson said: "I would sincerely hope that guided by principle and concern for the community you could decide not to go ahead with your current plan and take part in serious discussions with the City Council and government agencies to seek the removal of your entire business to a more suitable location."

After the meeting a co-ordinating group was set up and members first met on Wednesday.

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