A TERMINALLY-ILL woman and several other Tywyn residents are voicing concerns about a Halal slaughterhouse which has opened in a residential area.

There are fears that “stench, vermin and flies” will once again become a problem after the abattoir opened on the site of an old slaughterhouse - but the new manager is keen to allay concerns.

For many decades a slaughterhouse operated on Red Lion Street before closing down around two years ago.

Whilst it was open, residents say they were unable to sit in their gardens or keep their windows open as the odour and flies that the waste meat attracted were unbearable, especially during the summer.

Tina Evans, 74, lives on Frankwell Street, which backs onto the slaughterhouse grounds and told the Cambrian News she is worried the new business will reduce her standard of living for her remaining years.

The terminally-ill pensioner said: “There were terrible problems when there was a slaughterhouse there before. It was absolutely dreadful.

“I’m terrified I won’t be able to spend my final days in peace, I don’t want animals bleating all night, traffic congestion and stink and vermin pervading the town.

Town councillor Mark Kendall has assured local residents the matter will be discussed at the next council meeting following four separate letters complaining about the new business.

There has also been a flurry of activity on social media sites, with dozens of concerned locals worrying about what effect the slaughterhouse might have on Tywyn.

But the manager of the Al-basri Meat Ltd abattoir, Ali Hussein, was keen to allay people’s concerns.

“We’re not here to make trouble for the area, we’re here to bring jobs and opportunities to this lovely quiet town,” Mr Hussein said.

“We’ve only just opened so it’s understandable that people are concerned. I’m happy to talk to people though. My door’s always open if people want to express any complaints.”

Mrs Evans added: “It’s a horrendous place for an abattoir. This is a residential area with lots of elderly disabled people – did nobody think of us when this was approved?“There was plenty of empty units in the industrial park, they should have set up there.”Mrs Evans, who has lived in the town for decades, is also worried about the ethics of Halal butchery – meat which has been killed in acc­ordance with Islamic law.“It’s bad enough living next to a slaughterhouse, but I don’t want to think of animals needlessly suffering.“It’s a rural area, a lot of people feel very strongly about the treatment of animals here. I know a lot of people don’t like the idea of Halal­ meat.”Mr Hussein added: “All our meat will be butchered and taken away within the day, there won’t be any rotting meat lying around to attract flies or pests.“Regarding Halal meat, I really don’t understand the problem.“If you’ve ever eaten in an Indian restaurant you’ve more than likely eaten Halal meat.“We stun our animals before we slaughter them. The only difference is that we say an Islamic prayer as we cut their throats, there’s no difference between us and other abattoirs.“Halal butchery has passed through parliament and has been approved by the local council. If there was an issue, it wouldn’t be allowed.“We’re also restricting deliveries to one truck at a time so traffic shouldn’t be a problem. We have parking on site so the roads won’t be unduly affected.”