A CABIENT minister has called a public inquiry into controversial plans to extend the Harewood Whin recycling plant on the outskirts of York.

Eric Pickles, Local Government Secretary, made the announcement today.

Yorwaste Ltd had applied to City of York Council in 2013 for planning permission to extend its facility at Rufforth. It wants to buidl a "material recovery facility" and a waste transfer station on greenbelt land.

The council's planning committee referred the application last November to Mr Pickles but with a recommendation for approval, however a full inquiry will now be held.

The council had received 51 objection letters about the plans. Rufforth and Knapton Parish Council also objected and The York Natural Environment Panel said it too had concerns.

York Outer MP Julian Sturdy said he had appealed to the Secretary of State to call in the application, citing concerns about "unnecessary development" on the greenbelt, which he said should be protected. He also highlighted local concerns over a fire that burned for much of last month on the site.

He said today: "As only a very small number of applications are called in each year, I am delighted that the Secretary of State has decided to intervene following overwhelming opposition to the plans from the local community.

"The proposals completely undermine the purpose of York’s greenbelt, which is to preserve the rural character of the city’s surrounding communities for the benefit of future generations.

"Furthermore, in light of the recent fire, serious questions have to be answered about the council’s ability to operate a much larger facility at acceptable safety standards.

"Public safety and acting in the best interests of local communities must always be our top priorities and I look forward to representing the views of my constituents at the public inquiry."

Mr Sturdy said local villagers had argued their community would suffer from increased lorry traffic.

Cllr Ann Reid, chair of the city council's planning committee, said last night: "Because of the nature of the application and the site, I am not surprised that the Secretary of State has decided to call it in to look at himself. It will give objectors the chance to make their point again."