CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a waste recycling plant on a disused airfield near York were rejected today - to the joy of local residents.

County councillors turned down proposals to build a 200ft stone crushing plant for the recycling of civil engineering waste at a former Second World War airfield at Tockwith, near York.

The plan generated huge opposition from villagers, many of whom broke out into rapturous applause when the decision was made today at County Hall, Northallerton.

More than 200 objections were lodged with North Yorkshire County Council with residents arguing that local roads, businesses and homes would be badly affected by heavy traffic, noise and dust. Tockwith Residents' Association, which was re-established to oppose the plans, took on a team of planning experts to support their case.

Coun Bill Bowyer, a Tockwith and Willstrop parish councillor, said today: "I'm very, very pleased. We've all worked very hard on this. We had grave concerns about the impact of the development."

Councillors turned down the plan, believing it would have an unacceptable impact on the locality and saying that it failed to comply with proximity rules.

Councillor Jean Ashton said a previous stone-crushing plant she had visited was like "Dante's Inferno."

She told the meeting: "I've got concerns about the narrowness of the roads for these very large vehicles. I'm quite surprised that highways did not lodge an objection."

Planning officers had recommended the proposal, by R J Howard Ltd, be approved, subject to stringent planning conditions, controlling the noise, dust and the visual effects of the development. But councillors were concerned about the proximity of Tockwith's school and nearby businesses.

Mr Bowyer told the meeting: "It's clearly not suitable for the area. The prevailing wind goes over the school which is already troubled by fumes, the conditions do not address concerns over noise and dust."

A representative for R J Howard Ltd said the plan was in accordance with national policies, and argued the dust would not affect the village.

Updated: 16:22 Tuesday, January 21, 2003