Neighbours slaughter Hirst's 'animal studio' plan

Hirst, who achieved notoriety for his artworks which feature sawn-up cows and dead sharks has been given the go-ahead for a huge art gallery, workshop and "centre of excellence" in Stroud, Gloucestershire.

The artist has aroused the wrath of locals by plans to accommodate an "abattoir rail" and "fish preparation area" at the site.

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The plans have been greeted with anger and disgust by local residents, who fear the complex will be turned into a slaughterhouse for the artist's work.

A petition had been launched calling on the council to reject the plans, while signs have been stuck outside the entrance claiming people's health could be at risk from the site.

Kim Trinder, who lives opposite the land in Dudbridge Road, said: "It's disgusting. I don't want a slaughterhouse and dead animals here. He kills them and then wants to put them in a showroom. Who would do that?

"I don't think Mr Hirst would be very welcome here. We're animal lovers.

"I don't think it'll do much for the house prices either."

Kayleigh Wright, 20, who lives a few yards from the site, added: "He's basically doing artwork on killing. That's all he does. We're worried that the chemicals he uses to store the bodies will be released into the air.

"We've got a disabled child and we're worried about her health."

Last year, Hirst won planning permission to turn the derelict industrial site into a major new arts development including a 50,000 litre formaldehyde tank storage area.

But when Stroud District Council sent letters to local residents last month on the artist's latest plans to change the building, mention of an abattoir prompted fears for people's health.

Philip Skill, head of planning at the council, said the authority would listen to people's concerns, but insisted Hirst would actually make a good neighbour.

"There will be ex-animals on the site. He uses them as part of his process but it will not be an abattoir. You will not be getting 50 sheep arriving every day to be slaughtered.

"It might be the odd frozen shark which will then be prepared for exhibition in formaldehyde.

"The abattoir rail will allow him to move his work around the studio.

"Mr Hirst will be quite a good neighbour, there will be less traffic than with previous owners and it will be a more genteel use of the land."

The consultation process ends on April 13 and the proposed changes will be assessed by environmental health officers.

But Hirst, who spent £3 million on historic Toddington Manor in nearby Tewkesbury two years ago, has already been given the go-ahead to build on the land.

A decision on his request to change the layout is likely to made next month.

Mr Hirst was unavailable for comment.