Directors of a fast-growing Malton company have welcomed a district council decision to approve plans for a new travellers' site.

Meat packing company Pro-Pak, based on York Road, had applied for permission to expand its existing site.

To do this though, it needs to build on the existing travellers' site, replacing it with a new one on the opposite side of York Road.

The proposals were approved in full by planning chiefs this week.

David Longbottom, Pro-Pak Director and spokesman, said the decision has put an end to a month of anxiety for everyone at the company.

Councillors had deferred their decision from November, but, Mr Longbottom said, had the decision gone against the company relocation would have been a real possibility.

He said: "We would never have dreamed of threatening a planning meeting, but with market forces as they are, not expanding wasn't an option and so relocation was on the cards. Thankfully we don't have to do that. There is a real feeling of relief at Pro-Pak, but we are also very pleased with the decision. Workforce morale is excellent, and we are looking forward to moving on from here."

Mr Longbottom said the next step for the company was to start work on the new travellers' site, "sometime in the New Year", followed by demolition of the existing site.

At the meeting, councillors discussed all the issues in detail before voting.

Mainly of concern to them was the visual impact of the site, but planning officer Paul Simpson explained that it would be protected from view by trees.

A range of native species would be planted, measuring 3.5m, and they would soon reach a height of 5m.

Coun John Raper said that "Gipsies are an emotive issue."

He said: "They are human beings, after all, and while they may live a different life to us...we would rather have them on a managed site."