Plans for asphalt plant near A1(M) challenged by campaigners

The plant would be built next to Allerton Waste Recovery Park

Plans to build a new asphalt plant in North Yorkshire have been opposed by campaigners.

The facility, to be built alongside the A1(M) at Allerton Waste Recovery Park, would make materials to repair roads.

Campaigners fear the site would lead to pollution, damage wildlife and pose an increased fire risk.

Tynedale Roadstone Limited, which has applied for planning permission for the plant, said it was a "sustainable development".

Campaign group Communities Against Toxins said more than 700 people had objected to the plans.

They said that people living near the site would be affected by "potentially harmful pollutants" as a result of the development.

Campaigner Michael Emsley said 700 people had objected to the plans

Michael Emsley from the group said the plans were "of great concern" to people who lived or worked in the area.

"The impact on the environment, the health of our children and the very real threat of explosion and fire simply mean this is the wrong place to build such a facility," he said.

He also raised concerns about the impact on traffic, smells from the plant and noise.

The group has scheduled a meeting at Great Ouseburn Village Hall on 8 November at 19:45 GMT to discuss the plans.

'Demand for asphalt'

Tynedale Roadstone said there was a "demand" for its products in the area to help build and maintain road surfaces.

In the planning application it said there would be "no significant effects" on air quality as a result of the scheme.

It said it was "unlikely that the level of traffic associated with the new development" would cause any safety concerns and the location meant vehicles could access the site without driving through populated villages.

The business also plans to use plastic from the waste recovery plant to make its asphalt products.

Tynedale Roadstone has been contacted for comment.

Allerton Waste Recovery Park processes 320,000 tonnes of waste a year from York and North Yorkshire councils through incineration and anaerobic digestion.