A BID to curb a big stink affecting a North Yorkshire community will be made next week.

The smell, from a waste processing site at Park Barn Farm, Topcliffe near Thirsk, has led to widespread pro-tests.

Now its operator, JS Mosley and Son, has applied to North Yorkshire County Council to put up a 200ft steel building in a bid to combat the problem.

To blend with surroundings, the building would be finished in olive green with a slate blue roof.

The firm deals mainly with waste from food processing and sewage treatment.

A report to councillors said that after planning permission was granted for the site four years ago, the Environment Agency received complaints from residents protesting about "foul odours" at the site.

This led to the company's waste management licence being suspended.

The county council's planning committee will decide on Tuesday whether the building to house the operation can go ahead, allowing work to start up again.

The county council's environmental services director, Mike Moore, is recommending planning approval is given.

In a report, he said the new building, together with an effective system for collection and treatment, would provide the only long-term solution to odour problems.

But he called on councillors to impose 11 conditions, including odour control, monitoring, pollution and an annual meeting.

Mr Moore said: "The construction of the proposed building is seen as the only long-term solution available to the applicant to enable waste management operations to recommence."