MINISTERS today confirmed plans to sell off part of Throckmorton Airfield - despite its use as a burial ground for slaughtered animals.

Tens of thousands of cattle and sheep slaughtered because of the foot-and-mouth outbreak are being dumped at the site.

Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff hoped this would force a re-think of plans to use part of the airfield for industrial development.

But, in a written Parliamentary answer, junior Defence Minister Dr Lewis Moonie said there was no reason why this should be the case.

Impact

"It is not anticipated this usage will have any impact on long-term plans for the site, which offers a brown field location that has the potential to be used, in full or part, to assist the economic development and prosperity of this region," he said.

Mr Luff was staggered the MoD had failed to consult local residents.

"The presence of a major burial site for tens of thousands of cattle and sheep should make the Government a lot less enthusiatic about developing the site," he said.

"First, after inflicting this horror on local people without any consultation, they should be much keener to ensure that local people have a say in its future use.

"And second, there should be a very sober assessment of the long-term environmental implications before any commitment is made.

"How can the Government know it will be right to develop this site in these new and drastically different circumstances?"