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Somerset County Herald and Taunton Courier. Saturday 07 Jun 1947
Page 3 Column 2
Site of Slaughter House
“Ruining Amenities At Taunton”
Petition to the M.P.
The continued use of a slaughterhouse on a site near the Shire Hall and County Hall, Taunton, is the subject of a petition sent to Mr. Victor COLLINS, M.P. For Taunton by a number of citizens.
It states, “For a very long time now we have been greatly perturbed about the position of the slaughterhouse which adjoins the County Hall and Shire Hall at Taunton. This is still being used and does not appear, therefore, to be a temporary expedient, as was understood during the war.
“No argument is needed to show how inappropriate this site is. In addition, it is ruining the amenities of an otherwise beautiful civic centre. Only the dire necessities of war could have justified its use for such a purpose and nothing can justify its continuance.
“There is room for a proper slaughter-house on land owned by Taunton Corporation next to the Cattle Market and adjacent to the railway sidings. Failing this, there is plenty of land outside the town.”
DISTURBED NIGHTS.
After stating that residents and workers in the vicinity had complained that conditions prevented their getting proper sleep at night, the petition ends, “We understand that the remedy is entirely in the hands of the Ministry of Food and your petitioners pray that you will forward to the proper quarter, with your full recommendation, their request for immediate remedy.
“The war has been over for more than two years and we think we are fully justified in demanding that the scandal be quickly rectified.”
Messrs. A. G. BOWERMAN, Ltd., inform us that the slaughterhouse was requisitioned from them early in 1940 by the Ministry of Food. It has been operated and controlled since that time entirely by the Ministry, and serves the whole of the Taunton and Wellington areas.
ABATTOIR SCHEME.
Local officials this week declined to make a statement on the petition, but agreed that the present site was a bad one. It was pointed out that before the war Taunton Corporation were considering a scheme for a public abattoir and a site near the Cattle Market was earmarked. War conditions, the present shortage of labour and materials and housing priorities have made it impossible yet to proceed with such a scheme.
Moreover there has been a suggestion that regional or county abattoirs may be established either by the Ministry of Food or the Ministry of Agriculture. For the time being, therefore, the present temporary arrangements will have to continue. The view has been expressed, however, that this petition will do good by bringing the urgent need for a public abattoir to the notice of the authorities.