Residents who say their lives are being blighted by heavy traffic have welcomed the withdrawal of an application to bring more industry to their village.

As reported, 40 of the 500-strong workforce at Portasilo Ltd, in Huntington, York, are to lose their jobs.

The reason given for the redundancies was changed market conditions and planning delays for the new factory they had hoped to build on the Elvington Airfield Industrial Estate.

Many villagers, and Elvington Parish Council, objected to the application because they feared it would mean more heavy traffic on a back road they claim is already overburdened with traffic cutting through to the M62.

Portasilo spokesman, Chris Mason, said: "It was withdrawn recently because we were advised that there were environmental planning constraints which would make it not feasible to proceed, so we're actively seeking an alternative site."

The withdrawal of the scheme was greeted as good news in Elvington today, although residents expressed regret that people had lost their jobs.

Elvington Parish Council chairwoman Janice Stark, said: "We're pleased. We objected to it because we considered it was an inappropriate site for a development of this size and nature. When Selby District Council originally granted permission in the 1970s for this site to be used for industry, it was for light industrial, warehousing and storage purposes. We consider this factory was rather different.

"It would also have brought HGVs and we already have a problem with the state of the B1228 road. The residents put in a lot of work and got a really good case together."

One particular group of residents, whose houses back onto the industrial estate, were especially keen to welcome the withdrawal of the application.

Catherine Spooner, who lives directly behind the industrial estate, said: "We had no idea it had been withdrawn. I'm pleased for the village, but not pleased that people have lost their jobs - that's awful. As far as the village of Elvington, and for us, we're happy that it's not moving here because of the traffic problems. It's just completely unsuitable."

Updated: 16:19 Monday, April 02, 2001