PLANS to make it easier to create new quarrying and waste management sites in North Yorkshire will go to further consultation next week.

A joint waste and minerals plan for North Yorkshire County Council, City of York Council and the North York Moors National Park Authority will be presented to a local working group on Monday.

The plan will help identify new quarrying, recycling or waste treatment sites until 2030, and will set out policies for the three authorities when dealing with planning applications for them.

City of York councillor Dave Merrett said: “While there has not been a history of mineral extraction in York in recent years, and York’s built-up nature and surrounding green belt tend to militate against such developments, this document makes clear there are a number of potential sources of geological materials and products in the York area.

“This document and its choices will therefore be an important one to ensure York has a framework to deal with any applications that might come forward on minerals and waste, and with North Yorkshire and the North Yorkshire Moors that we can still deliver appropriate materials supply sources and waste disposal facilities as a whole.”

The report will go to further consultation in February and March.