PRIME Minister David Cameron's in-laws have condemned plans to build an abattoir close to their stately home.

Councillors will today decide whether to allow the slaughterhouse to be created in the village of Sutton-on-the-Forest, near York.

Officials are recommending it for approval, but Sir Reginald Sheffield, the father of Mr Cameron's wife Samantha, and his wife, Lady Sheffield, say the scheme risks harming their Sutton Park home's reputation as a tourist attraction.

The proposed abattoir would be within half a mile of the Sheffields' grounds.

The proposals, by Chris Hodgson, is to turn a former pig-rearing building at Sutton Grange, in York Road, into an abattoir, eventually creating up to eight jobs.

He said it would help local farmers by cutting the distances they travel with cattle, sheep and pigs for slaughter, as well as reducing distress to the animals.

About 40 letters of opposition have been sent to Hambleton District Council, claiming it would create noise, odour and traffic problems, with the letter from Sir Reginald and Lady Sheffield and the trustees of the Sutton Park Maintenance Fund saying they objected "most strongly".

They said: "The noise and smells emanating from the slaughterhouse, which would have a damaging effect on the grounds of Sutton Park, which is open to the public.

"Sutton Park has carefully built up its business over the last 40 years and we consider all the work to make it an important North Yorkshire tourist attraction will all be undone if this development goes ahead."

One local objector, J David Denial, copied a letter to the council outlining his "shock, horror and disbelief" to Mr Cameron, saying: "It is about time politicians should really start to listen to us."

However, the plans have received 35 letters of support, including 26 from farmers who said the abattoir would be a "key chain" in the local agricultural industry, and been backed by a 77-name petition.

In a letter of support, the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers' policy director Norman Bagley said: "We have many examples of members throughout the country operating small abattoirs such as this without causing problems to their neighbours."