A MAJOR new industrial plant could be built on the edge of York - but villagers are mobilising against what they say would be a traffic safety nightmare.

North-east based Tynedale Roadstone wants to build a new asphalt plant in Hessay, on the edge of the village’s industrial park, but neighbours, councillors and even the local MP have made more than 200 formal objections.

Steve Mills from action group AVOID - A59 Villagers Oppose Inappropriate Development - said the plan is flawed in multiple ways from traffic concerns to the greenbelt.

“There would be a significant increase in HGVs on the already busy A59; there would be even more congestion at the Hessay junction, which is dangerous enough as it is; and there’d be lengthy operating hours and the risk of significant air and noise pollution,” he said.

“Quite simply, it would be a totally inappropriate use of green belt land, and the applicant is yet to justify why this plant would qualify as ‘special circumstances’ for building in the green belt.”

Tynedale Roadstone’s planning agents say the plant is needed to provide materials for road repairs in the region, and although they looked at seven other sites between York and the A1, Hessay was the best plot and is on an existing industrial site.

They also say they understand people have concerns and have been working with City of York Council to address them, while things like noise and air pollution will have to stick within strict environmental rules.

The road concerns have been echoed by Hessay’s Parish Council, while the Campaign to Protect Rural England has hit out at industrial units planned in the open countryside.

Mark Barratt, of Hessay Parish Council, said that since the application was made in March the A59 has witnessed three accidents involving HGVs.

“Their latest proposal raises pedestrian safety concerns at a time when the Manor School bus ceases and we could have school children walking to the bus stop on the A59.

“We will continue to oppose this nonsense of an application and would encourage all those who haven’t objected yet to do so right away.”

MP Julian Sturdy has backed the villagers, saying the plant would have a “terrible impact” on the road network, particularly New Road junction, which would not be able to cope with HGVs.

“The exit to the industrial estate is also a great concern as HGVs already cross the road’s central line into oncoming traffic,” he said.

City councillor Chris Steward, who represents the area, added: “The applicant seems to have found a site that would work for them, without any thought of the practicalities for others or, indeed, ultimately for themselves if accidents were caused.

“Traffic issues are the main issue but parts of the proposals remain inappropriate for the green belt.”

Tynedale Roadstone’s planning agents ACT Projects said: “The proposed development is on an existing industrial site allocated for employment use.

“The expressed concerns and opinions of the locals have been acknowledged and the applicant has openly and seriously looked to address them and has been working with the council to do so.

“The full particulars of the planning application, assessments, consultations and responses are publicly available and the application is now to be considered and assessed by the council.”

People have until August 15 to respond to the planning application, and the current deadline for City of York Council to decide the case is August 18.