Objections to expanding a Bridport slaughterhouse and its operating times fell on deaf ears as councillors approved the proposal.
After being closed for a year, the abattoir in Mangerton Lane was bought out by Pickstock Telford Ltd, who have now successfully applied for longer working hours at the reopened site.
Local residents objected to the proposal on the grounds of extra lorry movements increasing pressure on the roads network, and the extra light, noise and pollution that will be caused.
Except for one abstention, councillors voted almost unanimously in favour of approving the change of operating times at the abattoir.
Planning chiefs heard the new site operators will be increasing the size of the buildings and the car park, as well as installing new security measures, an acoustic fence, and landscaping the boundaries.
The meeting heard that there had been 95 objections to the proposal and two letters in support of it.
Officers said lorry sizes would be limited to the national standard of 16.5 metres and had prompted no objections from highways officers.
Among the objectors, farmer Neil Ramsden had written to Dorset Council planners saying: “This proposal must be every nearby resident’s worst nightmare. It is causing considerable concern to ourselves and many of our neighbours. We also feel particularly sorry that this application process is causing so much distress to people who have given so much to improve enjoyment of our local area, both commercially and voluntarily.
“There will be noise and light pollution in the area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) due to nighttime working of the expanded facilities disturbing both humans and wildlife.
“Prevailing wind directions and topography will funnel smells and noise up the Mangerton valley, affecting amenities for human enjoyment of the area such as the fishing pool, public footpath along the river and Mangerton Mill.
“Meanwhile, the inevitable overflows of untreated wastewater into the Mangerton River will be travelling downward through Bridport and West Bay to the shoreline of the Jurassic Coast. Hence, overall, there can be little doubt that this development will severely decrease the amenity and rural enjoyment of West Dorset’s uniquely attractive AONB.”