Bosses at an Aberdeenshire slaughterhouse say plans to extend a nearby retail park could cause “fear and distress” to its animals.
Gatsby Aberdeen Ltd has applied for permission to renovate a unit at Portlethen Retail Park, just off the A92 Aberdeen to Stonehaven road.
Planning documents submitted by agents Halliday Fraser Munro state: “The proposal will allow a long-term vacant unit to be let, enhance the retail function of the town centre and attract new customers while also appealing to current users of the retail park.
“The proposal therefore benefits the viability of the park and Portlethen residents.”
But the McIntosh Donald abattoir has to operate by a strict set of guidelines to ensure animals awaiting slaughter do not suffer unduly, and say the work would put it at risk of breaching legislation.
In their objection, they wrote: “We have a duty of care to ensure that any livestock on our site awaiting slaughter is protected from any forms of fear and distress.
“This includes but is not limited to being free from such disturbances such as excessive noise, vibrations or other influence that cause stress to the animal.
“As the proposed work site is in close proximity to our livestock handling and lairage facilities we would be unable to ensure these legal obligations can be adhered to in their entirely if the proposed works were to go ahead.”