PLANNERS are backing an asphalt company which wants to build a new plant on the edge of a York village, despite massive community opposition.

Tynedale Roadstone want to build a new plant in Hessay, next to the village’s business park, but their proposals are opposed by scores of neighbours as well as York Outer MP Julian Sturdy and the village’s city councillors.

Next week a planning committee is due to decide the case, and officials are recommending the scheme go ahead.

A report published ahead of the meeting shows planning officials think the plant would be “inappropriate” for the greenbelt, but goes on to say the fact it is on previously developed land - the site was once an MOD depot - means the degree of harm caused to the countryside would be acceptable “on balance”.

The planners also say other considerations - like the need for an asphalt plant to supply road repairs in the region, and the lack of a non greenbelt alternative site - mean the Hessay scheme should go ahead.

Locals and campaigners sent more than 200 objections to the city council, with transport worries a major cause of concern.

The planners report shows the council’s highways staff initially shared concerns the junction for the A59 would not be able to cope with the extra HGV traffic, but they later changed their view when Tynedale Roadstone revised plans.

Hessay Parish Council, however, is still unhappy and a letter to planners says they think the revised plans, described by Tynedale Roadstone’s own planning agents as “the best available option”, are still not acceptable.

Objections have also come from the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) who say the “industrial” structures would damage views towards the city. The plans include a mixing tower and a 23 metre chimney.

The planners report concedes the plant would be seen as people approach York on both the A59 and the railway line, but it says it would not be view “on the same viewing plane” as the Minster, and is still a relatively modest structure, it cannot be seen as materially harming the views.

Other objectors are unhappy that construction of the plant could disturb protected species including Great Crested Newts and badgers; and would create noise and air pollution, and say the company has not talked to the local community properly about the plans. Councillors will consider the application at a planning meeting on Thursday (August 17).