Fish factory reopens

A LITTLEHAM shellfish processing-plant, temporarily closed earlier this year because of concerns over the condition of the factory s buildings, has been partially reopened. East Devon Shellfish, in Pankhurst Road, Littleham, has been allowed to resume ope

A LITTLEHAM shellfish processing-plant, temporarily closed earlier this year because of concerns over the condition of the factory's buildings, has been partially reopened.

East Devon Shellfish, in Pankhurst Road, Littleham, has been allowed to resume operations - but for the time being is limited to processing scallops only.

The district council has said more improvement work has to be done before the rest of the operations, processing locally caught shellfish and other seafood such as sprats, mackerel and pilchards, can resume.

Food safety concerns led the district council to withdraw operating approval for East Devon Shellfish.

The company was told that they must carry out 'significant improvement work' before approval was reinstated.

EDDC Environmental Health Manager Paul Martin had said the council took the action due to the 'general deterioration' in the state of the buildings - things came to a head after a fire closed down the whelk processing operation shortly before Christmas.

The fish processing plant has been the subject of controversy due to complaints from residents about the smell emanating from the factory. The council had sent the company a schedule of works - which the company has, in some part, adhered to.

A spokesman for EDDC said: "The East Devon Shellfish factory premises partially opened in mid-March for the processing of scallops only, which was subject to council approval.

"The owners of the factory are co-operating with Environmental Health officers over the food safety and odour control improvements which need to be made before processing of other fish products can resume."

The Journal has tried to contact the factory and their managers for a comment.