COUNCILLORS have unanimously rejected a scheme to create a waste recycling site alongside the A1 motorway near Boroughbridge.

The development proposal by Peacock Bros, a contracting firm, was unanimously rejected members of a North Yorkshire County Council planning committee.

The scheme involved land between the A1 motorway and the A168 Wetherby Road, Boroughbridge.

Peacocks wanted to erect two buildings for an inert waste recycling facility and household waste recycling centre. The area is currently used as rough pasture land.

Harrogate Borough Council objected, saying the industrial process in the open countryside would adversely affect amenities of the area.

Borough council planners accepted the area needed such a centre, but pointed out that progress had already been made with allocation of a site at Bar Lane.

Boroughbridge Town Council opposed the scheme, saying such development should be discouraged in open countryside amid fears it could lead to further development along the A1 corridor.

Marton-cum-Grafton Par-ish Council also objected, but there was support from Roecliffe and Westwick Parish Council, where members had hoped it would be approved so that the Bar Lane site at Roecliffe would not go ahead.

There were 23 letters of support for the scheme, four objecting and two petitions signed by a total of 144 objectors.