CAMPAIGNERS who have so far managed to block the opening of a waste transfer station near their homes in Barnard Castle are angry that new building work has been done at the site without planning permission.

Durham County Council wants to erect and operate a "hot load bay" at the newly-built refuse handling depot at Stainton Grove, itself the subject of controversy, but admits that work has already begun.

The depot is unable to open until a licence is issued by the Environment Agency, which is still considering objections lodged by Stainton Grove Action Group.

A spokesman for the county council said: "When the application was submitted to Teesdale District Council it was in good faith and work had not commenced.

However, in the meantime this equipment arrived on site and has been attended to."

He gave reassurances that it would be reported to the planning committee that the bay - which will used for damping down any refuse which might ignite on wagons going to the site - has been partially constructed.

But action group co-ordinator Ruth Renton is furious at the latest turn of events. "We're aware that this construction is already there, and has been there since last year," she said.

"We are totally against a hot load bay, it's dangerous and another case of the powers-that-be ignoring the health and safety of the people of Stainton Grove."