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02
Jun
Controversial asphalt plant near Knaresborough recommended for approval
A plan to build an asphalt plant next to an incinerator near Knaresborough looks set to be approved.
The proposal has been fiercely resisted amid concerns the plant, next to Allerton Waste Recovery Park, would emit fumes containing carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and lead in neighbouring area.
Knaresborough Town Council, Marton-cum-Grafton Parish Council, Great Ousebrn Parish Council, Whixley Parish Council, Kirk Hammeron Parish Council, Little Ouseburn, Kirby Hall and Thorpe Underwood Parish Council were among those who objected.
Tynedale Roadstone, which is based in Durham, plans to build the plant just off the A168.
The proposal would see the construction of the plant including a 22.5 metre exhaust stack, plus a single-storey site office cabin, welfare storage area with associated car parking spaces and 11 aggregate storage bays.
Asphalt plants mix aggregates which can be used for construction projects, such as building roads and car parks.
The developer said the move would help to create 10 jobs.
Officers at North Yorkshire Council have recommended that the plan be approved at a strategic planning committee meeting on June 10.
However, the plans have been met with opposition from politicians, campaigners and nearby parish councils.
Campaigners from the Communities Against Toxins group, which opposes the plan, previously held demonstrations at Marton-cum-Grafton village hall over concerns about emissions.
Andrew Jones (right) with protestors at a demonstration in 2023.
Michael Emsley, of the campaign group, told the Stray Ferret previously:
We do not believe this plant should be built in this location and we will continue to do all that we can to fight it.
We will not stop. We will make sure that when North Yorkshire Council sit down to make its decision, they are in no doubt as to what the local communities think and that our concerns regarding the environmental impact assessment have been addressed.
Objections have also been made by former Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative MP, Andrew Jones, who spoke out against the proposal in 2023.
A report due before councillors next week said 197 letters of objections have been lodged against the scheme and a 1,007 signature petition objecting to the plant has been handed in to the council.
Councillors will make a decision on the plan at a strategic planning committee meeting on June 10.
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