PLANS for a controversial waste recycling facility on a disused airstrip have been approved by a planning committee.

The proposals were to change the use of land currently holding a former poultry and piggery unit to create the recycling centre and concrete block multi-purpose building at Skipton Old Airfield, Sandhutton, near Thirsk.

North Yorkshire County Council planning committee today (Tuesday, June4) voted in favour of the application.

The applicant, Selective Skips, owns the operational area of the site but said he does not currently have sufficient premises to run his business, and to store skips and skip wagons.

The company, which collects inert waste including rubble, timber and scrap metal, would transport full skips to the site where waste would be sorted and distributed into 16 yard skips, before being transported to a recycling facility or landfill site.

Sandhutton Parish Council wanted to see the plans rejected because members felt the land was designated for agricultural use as it is surrounded by farming land, and they had concerns about the amount of waste that will be moved in and out of the site.

Former county councillor Neville Huxtable said he believed it was an inappropriate area for the operation and was concerned about the impact of traffic though Thirsk town centre and other surrounding villages.

But planning officer Dominic Waugh said that because of weight restrictions in Thirsk and nearby Topcliffe – which carry a 7.5 tonne limit – skip wagons would not be able to pass through those areas and would have to get to the site via Skipton on Swale to the A1 before joining the A168.

He added: “As regard to it not being a suitable location, the site is on the end of the old runway which is already mainly industrial use so it would just be an addition to that.

“Environmental Health officers expressed concerns on the impact of noise and dust on six bungalows on the access road due to its poor condition, but the applicant has agreed to repair the potholes, which has satisfied officers.”

Hours of use will be restricted between 7am and 7pm Monday to Saturday, with no operations on Sunday or public holidays, and skip wagon movements will be limited to 16 trips in and 16 out per day.