More than 100 people turned out to oppose controversial plans to redevelop a major abattoir in rural north Shropshire.

Hordley and Bagley Village Hall, near Ellesmere, was packed – with every seat taken and standing room only for latecomers – when a special meeting was called by Hordley Parish Council last night.

People came from villages stretching from Baschurch to Maesbury Marsh, near Oswestry.

They came to speak out against plans by Anglo Beef Processors to bulldoze its abattoir at Hordley and replace it with a modern, energy efficient complex about twice the size.

The firm has lodged a planning application with Shropshire Council and the public meeting was the second on the issue this month.

Residents claimed their houses regularly shook when abattoir-bound lorries drove past.

Noise pollution, ailing roads, an increase in traffic movements and claims that car insurance premiums have risen for residents living in the shadow of the existing plant were among other concerns raised.

Some residents said there was a chance to force the firm to make changes which benefitted the community.

Chris Ing, from Weston Lullingfields, said: “This new plan possibly gives us the opportunity to have conditions imposed which will make up for the problems of the last 20 years.”

Councillor Derek Jones, chairman of the parish council, said he would feed back people’s concerns to ABP and urge the firm to “try to be better neighbours”.

ABP, which has about 700 staff at Hordley, was not represented at last night’s meeting after being asked to stay away by the council so it could focus on gathering residents’ views.

In its planning application ABP admits the killing capacity at the plant will rise but it says there will not be an increase in traffic, jobs or throughput.

Tomorrow at 1pm residents are to hold a “peaceful picnic” beneath the cherry trees close to the ABP plant.

By Tom Johannsen