Council urged to reject village waste works (From Gazette & Herald)

Council urged to reject village waste works

A 24-HOUR animal waste treatment centre in a North Yorkshire village looks set to be refused planning permission.

North Yorkshire councillors have been urged to refuse proposals for a composting station and treatment works in Tollerton, near Easingwold.

Local farmers David and Christine Coning want to develop the plant off Sykes Lane, to handle 25,000 tonnes of waste a year, including lime and effluent treatment sludge plus abattoir waste to replace inorganic fertilisers.

But hundreds of local residents have signed a petition amid concerns over noise and smells created at the plant.

Almost 400 residents from Tollerton and surrounding villages objected to the plan, many of whom feared it would be a risk to their health and safety.

The petition was started by Alison Wade, daughter of Hambleton District councillor for Tollerton Frank Wade.

"We just don't want it, it's totally out of character with the district, and can only have a negative impact," Mr Wade said. "There are impracticalities, such as it would need either a slip road or a roundabout built at the entrance to it, and there would be noise and action there 24-hours a day. It's just not right."

Tollerton Parish Council also strongly objected to the proposals, with concerns over increased traffic and the impact on the character of the village.

Objections have been backed by the Hambleton District environmental health officer.

"There is a significant potential for odour and noise problems to affect properties on Sykes Lane," he said.

But the Conings say odours will be closely managed and controlled and the site will be independently monitored and policed.

North Yorkshire environmental services director Mike Moore said the proposal did not comply with a number of policies.

Mrs Coning said she and her husband were still hopeful of the outcome despite the objections.

"We will wait and see what happens next week, it's only an indication that it should be refused, at the end of the day it's up to the planners," she said.

County councillors will meet next Tuesday to discuss the application.

Updated: 11:29 Thursday, October 16, 2003