A SCHEME to build an all-night train washing depot which has angered worried residents is set to be approved - despite admissions that councillors have a "difficult decision".

Planning officers at City of York Council have recommended that councillors give the green light to the York Depot Refuelling Facility on Leeman Road.

They have told members to accept the application with modifications despite fears of "intrusive noise" - or risk seeing it built anyway, without it being enclosed by buildings or acoustic barriers.

Siemens wants to build the depot, which would refuel and wash First TransPennine Express trains during the night. The scheme could mean up to 40 new jobs.

But its initial application attracted the ire of nearby residents, who are concerned about noise levels on the site during the night.

Siemens has revised its plans and, in March, held a meeting at the National Railway Museum in a bid to ease fears.

But a council report, written by development control officer Richard Graham, reveals that members now have a "Catch-22" situation.

"In the opinion of the environmental protection officer the more intensive use of the site is likely to generate more of the intrusive noise associated with train movements that is currently experienced by residents as well as noise from other activities on the site," he wrote.

"However, the applicants have confirmed that if permission is refused it is likely that the main elements of the scheme, refuelling, train washing, train stabling yards, etc, would be provided under permitted development rights albeit without the buildings and acoustic barriers."

Mr Graham said that would mean the noise generated from the site would be "significantly worse" with the amenity of residents "severely harmed".

He has recommended approving the scheme subject, to 20 separate conditions designed to protect residents living nearby.

These include restricting the hours when the development is constructed, and restricting delivery times at the site to 8am until 6pm on Monday to Friday, and 9am until 6pm on Saturday.

Updated: 08:37 Friday, April 22, 2005