PM's father-in-law, Sir Reginald Sheffield, fights developer's plan for slaughterhouse near his home in North Yorkshire
The prime minister's family is involved in a dispute that has split a village in Yorkshire. David Cameron's father-in-law is among objectors to a proposed abattoir, which would provide eight jobs but possibly also a considerable pong.
Councillors in Hambleton, a stretch of countryside which helped North Yorkshire snatch the title of Britain's most beautiful county from Kent two years ago, are about to decide the issue. Planning officers have recommended approval, but objectors are rallying round Sir Reginald Sheffield, the father of Samantha Cameron.
The landowner, whose Sutton Park stately home and grounds at Sutton-on-the-Forest are close to the earmarked site, has written, along with 40 other residents, to "strongly object" to the unit. In a letter signed by estate trustees, he and his second wife, Lady Sheffield, warn that "noise and smells" would hit visitor numbers to the Georgian mansion, which is a long-standing Yorkshire tourist attraction.
"Sutton Park has carefully built up its business over the last 40 years and we consider all that work will be undone if this development goes ahead," he says.
Other objectors say the plan, which would convert a former pig-breeding unit at Sutton Court farm, has caused "shock, horror and disbelief".
The slaughterhouse has won backing, however, from 35 people, including 26 farmers who describe the plan as "a key part of the chain" in the local agriculture. The would-be developer, Chris Hodgson, says that the unit would significantly shorten journey times for farmers and reduce distress in the animals.
Another 77 people signed a petition of support, and the policy director of the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers, Norman Bagley, said: "We have many examples of members throughout the country operating small abattoirs such as this without causing problems to neighbours."
The main estates of the Sheffields are at Normanby, Lincolnshire, where a series of colourful episodes have included a dispute over boundaries with a double-glazing salesman that led to an interview with the police. Planning rows have also arisen there, including to do with work on a listed building that had to be suspended, and a windfarm proposal.
Sutton Park, a Grade-I listed Georgian mansion built in 1730, situated 10 miles north of York, made headlines when the family offered to let it for Royal Ascot week when the race moved to York in 2005. There were no takers at the asking price of £32,500 and the Sheffields, whose baronetcy stems from an illegitimate son of the first Duke of Buckingham and Normanby, had a knees-up for 20 friends instead.
Under the government's localism bill, a concept called neighbourhood planning will let local communities approve small development projects without formal planning permission. The consequences in Hambleton would almost certainly mean a battle royal and Sutton-on-the-Forest's first local referendum.