CONTROVERSIAL plans for a household waste recycling centre have been shelved.

North Yorkshire County Council has decided not to proceed with a proposal for a facility in Penny Pot Lane, Harrogate.

The council wants to open another centre to alleviate congestion at the town's Stonefall site.

The Penny Pot Lane location was put forward, but police objected on the grounds that the site was too near Army Foundation College, meaning a potential security risk.

Harrogate Borough Council's planning committee also voted against the plan after receiving 57 letters of objection from residents.

County councillor Clare Wood, executive member for business and environmental service, said despite opposition from Harrogate council, the county council was committed to delivering a new recycling centre on Penny Pot Lane for residents.

However, they could not ignore the police objection so, despite a considerable amount of work by officers, they had decided not to proceed with the present plans.

"We will, however, continue to look for a suitable alternative site in the vicinity," said Coun Wood.