VILLAGE campaigners near York are celebrating after it emerged the Government has stepped in over a controversial industrial plant proposal.

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid is now looking at the Hessay asphalt plant plan, with government planning officials insisting the development’s impact on the environment should be properly assessed.

The intervention overturns a key decision by City of York planners, who said the Tynedale Roadstone did not need to get an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for their scheme.

A spokesman for City of York Council said councillors will now not be able to consider the planning application at committee until the assessment has been prepared, and subject to consultation which lasts at least 28 days.

Steve Mills is part of local campaign group AVOID - A59 Villagers Oppose Inappropriate Development.

He said the asphalt plant plans had been flawed in many ways from the beginning.

“The significant increase in HGVs, congestion at the Hessay junction and potentially damaging air and noise pollution are all alarming potential outcomes if this application was passed.

“Quite simply, it would be a totally inappropriate use of green belt land and we are delighted that Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, shares our concerns and has now stepped in.”

Local residents had appealed to the Secretary or State for a review of the application.

In a letter to City of York planners, a government planning official said the Secretary of State believed the development “is likely to have significant effects on the environment” nearby.

No one on behalf of the applicant was available to comment when contacted by The Press.

Mike Slater, assistant director for planning and public protection at City of York Council, said: “The Secretary of State has instructed the applicant to prepare an environmental impact assessment.

“We will not be able to consider the planning application at committee until this has been prepared, and subject to consultation which lasts at least 28 days.”