DESPAIRING Hessay villagers made a protest yesterday against a proposed asphalt plant during a site visit by City of York Council planning committee members.

The application for the major industrial operation from Tynedale Roadstone is recommended for approval by the committee when it meets tomorrow, despite 300 objections, including from the MP Julian Sturdy, CPRE (Campaign for the Protection of Rural England and Rural West York Cllr Chris Steward.

The objections centre on transport fears and green belt issues and there are serious concerns objectors say haven’t been fully addressed.

The silent protest organised by residents' action group AVOID (A59 Villagers Oppose Inappropriate Development) attracted a crowd of villagers to highlight the strong resistance to the application.

The group's Steve Mills said: "We hope the committee could see for themselves the facts on the ground which show exactly why this development should not be given the go ahead.

"Representatives of the parish council, AVOID and the neighbouring farm had an opportunity to meet with the committee to highlight some of the key concerns that impact both residents and all users of the A59.

"The committee were shown first-hand the dangers of the planning officers' recommendation that HGVs should be able to share use of the pedestrian footpath that links the village with its primary means of public transport.

"This mingling of HGVs and pedestrian footpaths is a particular concern for the young families in the village."

Farmer Roger Hildreth also had the opportunity to highlight the risk to his live stock, his livelihood and the jobs dependent on his farm.

Mark Barratt, chairman of Hessay Parish Council, added to the objections, saying: “In 1999, a planning application for an asphalt plant in the same area was withdrawn as it was recommended for refusal because ‘very special circumstances’ for building in the green belt could not be proved.

"I feel a precedent may be created which has far-reaching impact on the green belt, not just for the historic City of York but across the country.”