CONTROVERSIAL plans for the reopening of a former abattoir in the centre of a village have been delayed for councillors to visit the site.

The ruling came after a planning application was submitted to put a 2.4m (7ft 10ins) fence around Boosbeck’s former abattoir and rebuild its electrical supply unit.

Redcar and Cleveland Council has already issued a lawful development certificate for the proposal to reopen the abattoir - a project which has prompted local opposition.

And campaigners this week gathered to wave placards as the authority’s planning committee met at Belmont House in Guisborough.

Middlesbrough-based BHM wants to develop a £3m halal slaughterhouse on the high street site and had asked for permission for the fencing and retrospective rebuilding of the electric supply. The firm says its investment would create jobs.

The building was used as an abattoir for decades before closing five years ago and the council says plans to reopen it do not require planning consent as there’s no change of use.

Campaign group Boosbeck Against Slaughterhouse (BASH), has lodged an application for a judicial review and members are angry the authority considered the application before the review could be heard.