Plans to expand an abattoir in Kenilworth on green belt land have been objected to because of their impact on the local environment.

Farmers Fresh has submitted a planning application to expand the refrigeration space at its Rouncil Lane premises by building new offices and converting the old ones into fridges.

But Warwickshire County Council's landscape team, ecological services and Kenilworth Town Council have all raised concerns about the impact of the plans.

WCC's landscape team said the abattoir should be made to plant more trees around the new office blocks to shield them from view, particularly given the plans include adding another storey to the old offices.

Objecting to the application, the county council's team also said no information has been provided about whether the trees currently on site would be cut down or not.

Landscape architect at WCC Sue Harrison said: "As the site is in a rural location, and within the green belt, the existing mature trees around the perimeter of the site are very important in softening views and helping the development to be assimilated into its surroundings.

"If it is intended to remove trees to facilitate the new office block this would have the effect of opening up potential views towards the development.

"I recommend that a condition is attached requiring a tree planting scheme along the hedgerow on the south-western boundary, in order to soften and filter views of the development."

Similarly the council's ecological services team said its main concern was "for the loss of biodiversity".

The department, which has not objected to the application, said that any trees removed should be replaced, and added that Farmers Fresh should make sure there are no nesting birds on site before starting the development.

KTC, which has neither objected to nor supported the application, has raised concerns about the climate impact of the development.

Commenting on the application members said: "Kenilworth Town Council requests that the applicants address matters relating to the environmental impact of the development with the aim of achieving a net zero carbon development and in ensuring that water efficiency is optimised."

Speaking to Nub News last week Farmers Fresh said the expansion was needed just to keep the business running after new post-Brexit laws had put extra pressure on its 80 staff members.

The application is still open for comment here.