AMENDED plans have been put to Exmoor National Park Authority for a processing plant where locally killed deer can be butchered and the meat packaged.

Exmoor Venison Ltd, based in Wheddon Cross, wants to locate a venison processing unit on land near Treborough.

It applied in March to build a new unit on the edge of Treborough Common, but has now proposed converting an existing forestry building instead.

Planning agent Keelan Owen, of Channel Architecture Ltd said the company now wanted to house the meat processing unit inside an existing steel-framed building on the site.

Mr Owen said: “This approach minimises land disturbance and construction impact while making efficient use of existing infrastructure.

“The adapted structure will include a butchering and packaging unit fitted with hygienic, modern food-processing facilities, cold storage areas for food safety, parking and delivery access using existing access points.”

“Minor internal modifications will be made to the existing building to suit its new function.

“The external appearance of the building will remain unchanged.

“The internal fit-out will be freestanding within the existing structure and can be removed if required, preserving the original form and reversibility of the building.

“This strategy significantly reduces visual and environmental impact compared to the original proposal.

“The building already sits comfortably within the topography and is screened by young woodland to the south and west.”

Mr Owen said the company supported ‘ethical wildlife management and the local rural economy’ by providing high-quality, sustainable food products.

The revised planning approach offered a more environmentally sensitive solution while achieving the same economic and operational goals of local job creation, supply chain strengthening, and conservation-aligned wildlife management.

He said the venison would come from wild deer killed within the national park and not specifically reared for meat production and the operation would align with conservation practices and responsible population control.